Kmart’s big change will help you shop their products using AR tech

The retailer has a new tool that lets you see how furniture and homewares will look at your place – without leaving the house.

Kmart Australia has released new technology that allows you to see what homewares, furniture and other items will look like in your home before you buy them.

The Kmart “KBot” uses augmented reality (AR) features on modern smartphones to simulate how products from its online catalogue could look at your place.

Kmart’s KBot shows what your home could look like.

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You’ve probably heard of virtual reality (VR), the dorky headsets that people use for video games and other immersive activities like digital tours of a real estate listing.

Augmented reality is slightly less involved.

Rather than fully shutting out the real world, it blends digital renderings into it using your smartphone camera.

It works by using the phone to capture a view of the room and then places digital renderings of products in them on your screen.

A boring old room, dull and lifeless, with no quality Kmart homewares.

Now, boring no more, thanks to an AR technology makeover.

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The renderings are fixed in place as if they’re actually in the room, allowing you to move around and view things from different angles and distances.

The technology has become increasingly popular in online shopping, including allowing shoppers to virtually try on clothing.

Kmart’s KBot uses your smartphone to show you how your room could look.

Kmart is also introducing a new chat bot called KBot Assist, which can help you with questions like the materials and dimensions of a product, as well as assist in making online purchases.

“The immersive AR and AI experience was designed to bring joy and inspiration to customers’ lives,” Kmart head of digital Melissa Wong said.

“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,” she added.

The AR tools can be accessed via the KLabs website.