The apparel industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by rise in e-commerce, demand for convenience, and data analytics, and growing importance of technologies such as 3D imaging, artificial intelligence, and virtual and augmented reality (AR). In the last three years alone, there have been over 57,000 patents filed and granted in the apparel industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Virtual and augmented reality in apparel: AR-assisted measurements. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 36,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the apparel industry, there are 20+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
AR-assisted measurements are a key innovation area in virtual and augmented reality
AR-assisted measurements refers to the use of the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality to take accurate measurements in the real world. The technology also involves calculating heights and distances, tracking objects, and generating 3D models in real-time.
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 30+ 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
Magic Leap is one of the leading patent filers in AR-assisted measurements. Some other key patent filers in the space include Meta Platforms and Apple
WEARFITS, powered by Microsoft, another patent filer in this space, is an AR-assisted apparel and footwear try-on technology for shoppers and retailers alike. The technology uses AR to take the right foot measurements digitally for the most accurate size recommendations. Apparel makers and retailers can leverage WEARFITS to create seamless digital shopping experiences with the help of AR, 3D visualization and size fitting.
In terms of application diversity, Alphabet leads the pack, while Beijing Electronics and Intel stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, Magic Leap held the top position, followed by Apple and Alphabet.
AR-assisted measurements can help remove the guess work often involved in deciding which size to buy, enabling a shopper to visualize clothing and apparel on a virtual model with the exact measurements that match their body type. AR is already widely used in the shopping of furniture and electronics, allowing customers to visualize how a product fits into their home environment.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the apparel industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Augmented Reality (AR) in Retail and Apparel.
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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.
