Warby Parker has updated its iPhone app with technology that lets customers virtually try on glasses before buying them, according to Engadget. The new AR tech takes advantage of Apple’s Face ID to render the glasses on a live 3D preview of the user’s face. Shoppers also can use the app to share pictures of their potential purchases on social media, allowing them to solicit opinions from friends and family.
The AR experience isn’t Warby Parker’s first foray into face mapping; the retailer previously used the iPhone TrueDepth camera to provide eyewear recommendations based on face measurements.
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Warby Parker is not the only eyeglasses retailer seeking to harness the power of AR: Zenni Optical already has a 2D version of the technology, and was working on a 3D version as of October 2018. The retailer also plans on matching Warby Parker’s recommendation capabilities.
“Because of mobile and AR technologies, and the growth of imaging departments, we can do virtual measurement very accurately at a particular distance,” said Bai Gan, Chief Product Officer at Zenni Optical in an interview with Retail TouchPoints. “Down the road, we could even do frame recommendations by recognizing the shape of your face — a new trial will be coming out very soon.”
Tenth Street Hats is using similar technology to let shoppers virtually try on nearly 30 of its more than 200 hats. The tool, which is available on both mobile devices and desktop computers, increased conversion rates by 33% and boosted engagement 74%.
