Virtual Assistant' technology makes retail debut at Duane Reade

Next-generation digital signage that uses the latest in holographic imaging and audio-visual technology to create the illusion of a real person is making its U.S. debut at Duane Reade’s new flagship in downtown Manhattan.

The technology, the Tensator Virtual Assistant, is provided by Lawrence, a Tensator Group Co. Completely customized for Duane Reade, it takes the form of a female greeter who welcomes entering customers and provides information on everything store-related. Currently, the greeter has seven different scripts, each of which speaks to a different store element.

WSJ has a report on how companies are trying out new technologies such as interactive mirrors, interactive kiosks and others to increase footfall and customer satisfaction.

Marketing companies are experimenting with a new wave of digital technologies to pitch to consumers while they shop: interactive dressing-room mirrors, kiosks with virtual customer-service representatives, and shopping carts and digital scanners that offer personalized discounts.

These futuristic technologies are among the interactive tools on display at Interpublic Group of Cos.' new retail center at the advertising company's Media Lab in Los Angeles.

There, Interpublic is testing innovative ways for marketers to connect with customers as part of an effort to better understand what makes consumers buy and to encourage companies to rethink their approaches to the role of the retail store.

Connecting these futuristic concepts with social media takes it to all new level.

Another device is a mirror that enables a shopper to scan a dress and then project that clothing onto her body before going to the dressing room. She can also tap the mirror to view different colors, find matching shoes and send the image to her Facebook profile.

Read more.

Fashion brand called Forever21 has just launched a massive augmented reality billboard in Times Square. Great way to use Augmented Reality and engage with the users and what great place than Times Square.

From http://www.fastcompany.com/1663846/times-square-billboards-use-spy-tech-to-reach-out-and-grab-you

Designed by interactive agency Space150 for Forever 21, the billboard features a model walking in front of an image of the crowd below. And then it gets interesting: The model occasionally leans over, and appears to pluck someone out of the crowd. Sometimes, they stink, so she tosses them. Sometimes she kisses them, and they turn into a frog. And sometimes, she drops them in her bag and happily trots off. At one point, the model takes a Polaroid of the crowd, shakes it out, and brandishes it in front of her--showing off a zoomed-in image of the people below.

…

The billboard relies on technology that's usually used in government or security surveillance, and Space150 had to consult surveillance experts to pull it off. Above the 61-foot-high face a high definition Prosilica camera captures the crowd. But then, software picks apart the individuals in the crowd, and selects some for a digital composite built in real-time, which is then used in the interactions with the virtual model on screen.

The software even picks up the yellow of the Forever 21 bag, so that anyone holding one is more likely to get noticed by the model. (If someone actually goes into the store, there are now heat sensors that detect them, and cause a bunch of flash bulbs surrounding the threshold to go off, simulating dozens of paparazzi.)

Times Square Billboard by Space150 from Cliff Kuang on Vimeo.

Came across this great example of Augmented Reality where shop window displays allow shoppers to try on virtual 3D watches.

From Touch-screen Selfridges window displays allow shoppers to try on virtual 3D watches:

Passers-by outside the Oxford Street store will be handed paper wristbands which, when shown to a camera built into the display, will allow them to view an image of themselves “wearing” any watch they select on the touch-screen.

The “virtual watch” is created by real-time light-reflecting technology that allows the consumer to interact with the design by twisting their wrist for a 360 degree view.

Shoppers will be able to “try on” 28 different watches from the Touch collection by the Swiss watch maker Tissot, and can also experiment with different dials and straps.

Each watch will show the correct time and date and shoppers will also be able to try their touch-screen functions such as compasses and thermometers.