A new startup in the garment industry is providing an example of how to use machine learning in a visual way that’s immediate to end users.
Christine Hall at TechCrunch reports on a company called Revery.ai, funded by Y Combinator to the tune of $125,000, which, according to leadership represents a two-year runway.
The company is hoping for a $1.5 million seed round as it works on technology that brings transparency to the garment rack.
Revery’s technology includes a recommendation engine for garment customers, but there’s also a system that takes pictures of clothes and virtually fits them on pictures of models. It’s unclear exactly how the program’s algorithms understand the contours of the human body and effortlessly slide dresses, shirts and slacks on to the human bodies shown in the virtual catalog.
What is fairly clear is that by working with companies like Zolano, Revery is innovating the garment space with the power of new technologies that use big data in predictive and analytical ways. In terms of commercial success, involved parties cite 400% in customer retention and 500% in conversion rate.
No model, no problem.
This example is instructive in the sense that too often, the average consumer doesn’t see how artificial intelligence and machine learning can bring insights. It’s one thing to have a doctor using an algorithm to help interpret diagnostic imaging – the patient’s not very involved in that. On the other hand, if you can log onto an e-commerce retailer’s site and see your clothes modeled in virtual space, that’s a pretty effective demonstration of where computer vision and AI are going.
It’s certain that programs like Revery are just the beginning. Look for the results of new AI and computer vision advances to make their way into the rest of our lives sooner rather than later. And look for the impact in markets!
