The apparel industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by rise in e-commerce, and innovative marketing techniques, and growing importance of technologies such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality, blockchain, and automation. In the last three years alone, there have been over 2,600 patents filed and granted in the apparel industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in apparel: AR-assisted measurements. Buy the report here.
Smarter leaders trust GlobalData
However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
20+ innovations will shape the apparel industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the apparel industry using innovation intensity models built on over 41,000 patents, there are 20+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, reflective fabrics and body measurements AI are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Insulated composite fabrics, e-textiles, and personalized lookbooks are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are wearable computers and breathable fabrics, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the apparel industry
AR-assisted measurements are a key innovation area in apparel
AR-assisted measurements use augmented reality-based technology through which a user can take their own measurements for apparel using smartphones and dedicated AR devices. This technique is more convenient and accurate as a customer can take their own measurements anytime.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 50+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established apparel companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of AR-assisted measurements.
Key players in AR-assisted measurements – a disruptive innovation in the apparel industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to AR-assisted measurements
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
The Saudi Public is one of the leading patent filers in AR-assisted measurements. Some other key patent filers in the space include Meta Platforms and Apple.
Quest, an AR headset from Meta, has a new feature that allows it to scan the body of the user and give AR-based measurements. This capability and personalized measurements would ensure that clothing fits perfectly without the need for physical try-ons. Quest is integrating with ZARA for online Virtual try-on features.
In terms of application diversity, The Saudi Public leads the pack, while Meta Platforms and Alphabet stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, The Saudi Public held the top position, followed by Meta Platforms and Apple.
AR-assisted measurements for the apparel industry are growing fast and are likely to become prominent as more AR/VR devices become available. Companies are currently using AR-assisted measurements for virtual try-ons, AR-powered fitting rooms, and AR-powered measurements.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the apparel industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Apparel.
Data Insights
From
The gold standard of business intelligence.
Blending expert knowledge with cutting-edge technology, GlobalData’s unrivalled proprietary data will enable you to decode what’s happening in your market. You can make better informed decisions and gain a future-proof advantage over your competitors.
GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
