Jurong Point to have 'virtual mirror' for shoppers to try on clothes

A "virtual mirror" developed by A*Star at the agency's inaugural SME Day on April 21, 2014. The "virtual mirror" will allow shoppers to "try on" clothes. -- PHOTO: A*STAR
A "virtual mirror" developed by A*Star at the agency's inaugural SME Day on April 21, 2014. The "virtual mirror" will allow shoppers to "try on" clothes. -- PHOTO: A*STAR

Shoppers can soon avoid queuing up at fitting rooms to try on clothes at Jurong Point Shopping Centre.

A "virtual mirror" to be installed in the mall in May will allow customers to "see" how well the clothes fit on them through an interactive, digital display without actually having to put on the garments.

Shoppers will also be able to snap and share photos on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram while "dressing up" , or save them to their smartphones wirelessly.

Aptly named "Virtual Try-On", the augmented reality technology was created by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) and announced on April 21 at the research body's first SME (small- and medium-sized enterprise) Day.

Jurong Point chief executive William Seet said that while it would not replace "traditional" shopping rituals of touching clothes and trying-on, it would certainly add fun to shopping.

"Customers' interests will be aroused, and it will provide our fashion retailers' an additional avenue to bring their collections to the forefront," he added.

Another A*Star technology, an image recognition system called "Snap2Tell Alive", will also be integrated into the mall's existing mobile application, with potential uses for profiling shoppers' tastes and preferences.

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