Byte-Sized AI is a bi-weekly column that covers all things artificial intelligence—from startup funding, to newly inked partnerships, to just-launched, AI-powered capabilities from major retailers, software providers and supply chain players.
Nordstrom brings AI to shoppers ahead of holiday
Nordstrom announced Tuesday that it has integrated AI-powered systems into its app to make holiday shopping easier for its consumers.
According to the company, its newly re-done app allows users to see trend reports, which combine generative AI systems with human stylists’ decision making to give shoppers insight into the hottest styles.
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Additionally, Nordstrom is offering its consumers a feature it calls Style Swipes, which allows customers to swipe “yes” or “no” on items curated by Nordstrom.
The company is also using machine learning to process consumers’ data. It noted that, “the more customers interact with the Nordstrom app, the better the app will get to know them.” In turn, users receive personalized recommendations from brands or categories that best suit their preferences.
While personalization has been a core tenet of many companies’ technology strategies, particularly as generative AI continues to advance, expanding search capabilities has become increasingly important. Some companies have begun employing natural language processing systems, to help turn descriptions made by corporate employers or manufacturers into digestible, searchable terms that consumers would use.
Nordstrom has joined the club on refining its product pages and search capabilities. According to the company, consumers can now use longer queries to search for the type of product they seek. For instance, a consumer might search for a “cozy red sweater” or a “chic dress for New Year’s.” Nordstrom anticipates its new systems will help consumers find what they’re looking for faster.
Nordstrom said it uses a mix of in-house technology and third-party solutions.
Adore Me teams with Veesual
Adore Me announced Thursday it had teamed with virtual try-on company Veesual to help consumers better understand how items might fit their own bodies.
The Paris-based AI provider allows brands’ shoppers to view apparel items and accessories on a variety of AI-generated models, which vary in size, age and more. Users can mix and match applicable items in a brand’s catalog for a more complete styling experience. Already, the company has partnered with other brands like Eileen Fisher and Claudie Pierlot.
Veesual’s technology is currently live for some of Adore Me’s products; the brand plans to expand the partnership to include more items in the future. In testing, Adore Me has already seen a 2.3x lift to its time spent on product pages when consumers interact with Veesual.
The brand has already been an early adopter for a variety of different technology-powered tools, from generative AI for customized underwear sets, to leveraging TikTok-esque videos for personalized recommendations on its site. Ranjan Roy, senior vice president of strategy at Adore Me, said the company’s partnership with Veesual is another layer of that exploration.
“Implementing Veesual’s AI-powered try-on technology is a natural extension of our tech-first approach and elevates the online shopping experience for our customers,” Roy said in a statement. “As the leader in inclusive sizing within the intimates industry, this technology allows customers to visualize products on models with a range of body shapes and sizes, enhancing their ability to find the perfect fit. It’s a great example of how we’re leveraging AI and advanced visualization tools to transform the way people shop for lingerie.”
Vecna Robotics gets cash infusion, new CEO
Case-picking robotics company Vecna Robotics has secured additional funding, just a few months after announcing a $35 million Series C-1 round.
The company announced Wednesday that it had secured $14.5 million in additional funding, all of which came from existing investors. While the company did not specify who participated in this particular round, previous investors have included the likes of Tiger Global Management, Proficio Capital Partners and Impulse.
The company plans to use its new funds to further accelerate its technology, which it noted will benefit several industries, among them high-volume warehousing and logistics companies. Last month, the company introduced its newest system, CaseFlow, which can be used in mid-to-high-volume warehouses to help the company’s proprietary pallet robots to make human warehouse workers’ jobs less intensive.
In addition to the fundraising the company did, it has also brought on a new CEO. Karl Iagnemma, who founded autonomous vehicle company NuTonomy, has joined the team and will oversee further product innovation for the Massachusetts-based company.
Iagnemma said he sees robotics automation as a significant opportunity in the logistics and technology markets.
“I join Vecna Robotics at an inflection point in the material handling market, where operators are poised to adopt automation at scale,” he said in a statement. “Vecna is uniquely positioned to shape the market with state-of-the-art technology and products that are easy to purchase, deploy, and operate reliably across many different workflows.”
