710216VestisClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKMetail is the leading provider of body shape and garment visualisation technology for online retailers. Within its system a User can dress a model of their own image to provide a realistic visualisation of any garment offered by the retailer and so allow a virtual fitting. The Company’s first generation software has two significant limitations: a) several manually intensive activities are required before a new digital version of a garment can be made available through the virtual fitting room; and b) the visualisation of the garment on the 3D body model does not accurately reflect the way in which the real garment would ‘hang’. The ‘Vestis’ Research Project will investigate several innovations to significantly improve the user experience, reduce the manual input required and improve the visualisation of the garment. The key innovation is: 1) automation of the garment digitisation process to minimize manual effort and to increase and improve the number of images captured for each garment; 2) automation of the image post processing activity to enable the image of the garment to be accurately cut/separate from the set of digital photographs; and 3) creation of new data interpolation (a method of constructing new data points from a set of known data points) algorithms to provide real-time 3D visualisation of the garment on any body shape i.e. adjusting the 3D garment model to the body shape of a particular individual to show a realistic fitting of the garment. The key objective will be to create a Proof-of-Concept demonstrator to enable evaluation of novel garment digitisation approaches and 3D data interpolation algorithms. The main benefits will allow retailers to expand online presence; consumers will find their online shopping experience more tailored to their needs. The significant reductions in transportation of over ordered goods and subsequent returns will mean cost savings for the retailer and positive benefits for the environment.