Image Recognition Technology Could Transform Shopping
BOSTON (CBS) - Imagine taking a picture of something and then being told exactly where it can be bought. This type of image recognition technology is becoming more popular with online retailers and could transform shopping.
Sandra Bohlken likes to shop online, but has found it frustrating on occasion. "A lot of times, I will see something in a magazine or an ad and try to look it up, and it can be kind of difficult to find."
Bohlken tried out the "In a Snap" app from Target. It helps her find products that interest her, and be able to buy them quickly.
Target spokesperson Eddie Baeb said, "Clearly technology is changing the way we shop, whether it's image recognition, visual search, and augmented reality. These are all things we are testing."
Image recognition technology is growing fast. Sites like www.heels.com allow a shopper to input a pair of shoes they might have seen. The visual search tool will either match the product exactly, or bring up look-a-likes.
Apple has their Cam-Find app which also recognizes and describes items.
Google has long been in the forefront of recognition technology with the Googles Goggles App. Amy Curtis uses it to compare prices as well search the Internet for pictures and art.
Image recognition technology is still going through some growing pains. Sometimes the tools can be slow, and there are still a large number of items that cannot be identified.
Google, for example, is much better at recognizing things like books and DVDS, than furniture or apparel. Still, Bohlken has liked what she has seen so far. "It can make shopping a lot easier."
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