Kmart has launched a new Australian-developed augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help customers purchase and visualise products from their own home.
The tool - dubbed The KBot - uses AR technology to show customers how the products would look in their home and is accessed via mobile devices.
The KBot also features a conversational AI that can provide customers with information about product dimensions and features and can also recommend complementary products based on previously viewed products.
The launch of The KBot follows Kmart's investments into digital infrastructure throughout 2020 which included a virtual queuing system earlier and the launch of Android Voice across its fulfilment operations.
Kmart head of digital Melissa Wong said that The KBot has revolutionised the way the retailer engages with customers.
"The immersive AR and AI experience was designed to bring joy and inspiration to our customers’ lives, and with extra help from our AI chatbot personality – KBot assist – we have been able to make shopping easier for customers by sprinkling delight across the customer journey.
"Our customer centric approach was pivotal in the way we collaborated with our valued partners when designing the mobile experience to maximise the technology enablers like AR and AI.
"This has truly changed the way we engaged our customers," she said.
The KBot launched alongside Kmart's August Living Campaign and currently features the retailer's key home products to view in AR.