New mobile application from IBM Research offers retail consumers augmented reality

So, what is augmented reality?

While in-store shopping accounts for the vast majority of retail sales, consumers are expecting the same levels of personalization and customization that they do when they shop online. In fact, 19 percent of consumers are already browsing their mobile devices while in-store. Scientists at the IBM Research lab in Haifa are looking to bring all the benefits of online shopping into traditional, brick-and-mortar stores and are creating a new augmented reality mobile shopping app that will give in-store shoppers instant product details and promotions through their mobile devices.

The new IBM Research app will offer shoppers product comparisons and special offers as they move throughout the store. It captures images via the built-in video camera on a user's smart phone or tablet and uses advanced image processing technologies to quickly and accurately identify a product or row of items. Once the app recognizes the products, it will display information above the product images and rank them based on a number of criteria, such as price and nutritional value. It will also provide the shopper with any loyalty rewards or incentives that may apply and suggest complementary items based on what the customer has already viewed. 

Want to learn more?  Check out the full article on the IBM Research site.