👗 Google Expands Virtual Try-On
On September 5, 2024, Google announced that it added dresses to its AI-powered virtual try-on tool. The tool, launched last year, originally allowed users to try on tops and blouses. With the expansion, customers can now choose from thousands of dresses by brands like Boden, Sandro, Simkhai, and Staud. Dresses are one of the most popular clothing categories, which made this update a priority for Google.
🖥️ Improved AI for Dress Details
Google’s existing technology faced challenges in representing dresses. Dresses are more complex because of intricate patterns and variations in length, like mini, midi, or maxi styles. Google's AI struggled with these details. To solve this, Google developed the VTO-UNet Diffusion Transformer (VTO-UDiT), which improves the virtual fitting of dresses by preserving body features and increasing resolution gradually to maintain print details.
💡 How the New Tech Works
The VTO-UDiT technology creates high-quality simulations of how a dress would look on a person, focusing on how the fabric drapes and interacts with different body types. It also avoids common errors like blurring or obscuring parts of the body. Google’s previous diffusion model struggled with dresses, as they cover most of the body, making it difficult to capture details like floral or geometric prints accurately.
📈 Competitive Advantage
Google is not alone in the virtual try-on space. Other companies, including Adobe, Amazon, and Walmart, have their own tools. However, by investing in advanced techniques for more accurate portrayals, Google aims to offer a more refined experience than its competitors. The company’s goal is to remove the guesswork for customers and allow them to see exactly how a dress will fit and look before purchasing.
Will Google's new tech revolutionize online dress shopping?
