Wayfair has launched visual search capabilities within its website.
The home furnishing e-tailer is using artificial intelligence to match customer photos with products online.
Wayfair’s technology finds similar styles from its collection of eight million products available online.
“We know that everyone has a unique vision for their home and that ideas and inspiration can come from anywhere. A sofa in a friend’s house, a Pinterest board, a barstool at a favourite restaurant, or a pillow featured in a design magazine, can all spark ideas for decorating one’s home,” said Steve Conine, co-founder and co-chairman, Wayfair.
“And while finding a look you love may be easy, finding the specific products to bring that look to life can be time-consuming and require a lot of searching. With visual search, shoppers can now search for and find a particular product or style instantly,” he added. “Combining our unmatched selection with innovative machine learning techniques, Wayfair lets shoppers bring their unique vision of home to life with unparalleled convenience.”
Customers will be presented with a camera icon in Wayfair’s online search bar which allows them to upload images from their photo library. Online shoppers can then purchase the products recommended for them or add them to an ‘idea board’ to look at later or share with family and friends.
“Visual search is just one example of the many ways Wayfair is leveraging artificial intelligence and other innovative technologies to reinvent the shopping experience for our customers,” continued Conine. “From enhanced personalisation to exciting new site features, our goal is to offer our customers a seamless shopping experience that makes it easier and quicker to find just the right items for their homes. Giving shoppers the ability to search with a photo is just the first of many exciting applications for our computer vision system.”