Cortexica, the leading provider of visual search technology, is pleased to announce that it was selected by Net-A-Porter to provide the technology that powers the visual search function of its recently unveiled Net Set app.
Net-A-Porter’s recently launched Net Set social shopping platform incorporates elements of social media with image recognition software to allow shoppers to nab ‘style ideas’ while out and about.
Using Cortexica’s industry leading image-recognition technology, findSimilar is used to power the ‘Style Ideas’ functionality on the Net Set app and mimics the processes found in the human visual cortex to recognise content from digitally captured images and videos. This produces search results based not just on the colour of the garments or objects but also on pattern and texture, says the tech company.
Net-a-Porter’s Net Set app uses Cortexica’s advanced vision system technology, which allows users to upload an image and then find and present the most relevant and appropriate ‘Style Ideas’. If an exact item or product on a user’s feed is not available from Net-A-Porter’s 350 designer lines, Cortexica’s image recognition technology is able to locate visually similar items. This allows users to shop from other people’s curated feed of images too.
Iain McCready, CEO of Cortexica, explains: “We are delighted that Cortexica’s findSimilar technology has been selected by Net-A-Porter to power the Net Set app, further expanding our partnerships with leading retail brands. Net-A-Porter has, since its inception, been at the forefront of high-end online retailing and innovation. The incorporation of Cortexica’s visual search and image recognition capabilities into the Net Set app represents a further step forwards in the adoption of disruptive technology by the retail industry.”
Cortexica will be releasing a platform suite of SaaS products for the high street and online retail industry over the forthcoming months to greatly increase efficiency and speed in functions such as design, supply chain and in-store experience.