Artificial Intelligence AI Source of Possible Innovations in the Textile Industry
In the textile industry, 2.14 billion people shop via the Internet, or about a third of the world’s population. Nevertheless, the planet suffers from it, in particular, because of the excessive production of waste. Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually integrating the textile industry.
Thanks to online sales, shopping becomes easier for consumers. Many companies, for example, offer particularly advantageous services. Shipping, home fitting, and return of items are part of this. In principle, all of this is extremely interesting. Yet this sales system is damaging the Earth. At present, artificial intelligence (AI) and mass personalization, therefore, seem to be the best solutions.
Artificial Intelligence AI Helps Solve the Problems of the Textile Industry
In textiles, the AI would serve primarily to improve the customer experience while reducing waste. At the same time, it has the power to allow the establishment of more detailed inventory systems. The details concern, among other things, the body and the preferences of the customers. As for mass personalization, it makes it possible to offer personalized products. The goal is to meet the needs and desires of each while keeping a viable unit cost.
Currently, AI and mass customization are still in their infancy. However, they have the potential to allow virtual fittings even if the clients are at home. To do this, the researchers plan to use 3D modeling. Besides, Meta’s plan to build a metaverse could benefit this virtual try-on project.
In addition, AI and mass customization are able to solve several problems of textile companies. Inventory management, reduction of transport costs, and greenhouse gas emissions can therefore be improved. Basically, the entire online sales system will benefit if this project comes to fruition.
It should be noted that there are still three major challenges to overcome before the textile industry can take advantage of this technology. First of all, it is the ability to convert 2D measurements to 3D from a more technical point of view. Next, clothing brands must have a mass of information at their disposal. The detailed traceability of products and specific measurements of the human body are examples of this. For the 3D modeling of clothes, these also need the analysis data of colors, shapes, and style.
3D Modeling for Home Fittings
Finally, the last challenge relates to finding funding to develop technologies based on AI. Indeed, many investors prefer to invest in safer stocks and objectives limited in time. Yet this is not the case with AI research. This is because they do not have specific deadlines and the return remains relatively uncertain.
Even though the integration of AI into the textile industry is still in its early stages, it is happening slowly, but surely. Moreover, Techtera, in partnership with Minalogic, devoted the day of December 9 to broaching the subject. The goal will be to highlight the possible contributions of AI in the field of textiles. This particularly concerns support for SMEs in the digital transition. Indeed, artificial intelligence can help SMEs process and value information to predict market trends.