Materialise NV has made a strategic investment in Ditto, a developer of virtual eyewear try-on platforms. In addition, the two companies will collaborate to advance the digital transformation in the eyewear industry and support the creation of new and personalized shopping experiences.
The introduction of advanced digital technologies in the eyewear industry is creating new opportunities, including the possibility to offer personalized frame recommendations and virtual try-on solutions. As part of an end-to-end digital platform, frames can also be 3D printed.
Ditto partners with retailers, brands and eye care professionals to create personalized shopping experiences for eyewear customers. Ditto’s platform captures a precise map of each customer’s face and their personal style preferences to make insightful recommendations, determine precise fit and style, and visualize it all with vivid realism. In the process, their clients gain a deeper understanding of each customer that opens up new opportunities to better serve them across channels.
“Our collaboration with Materialise will help us deliver on our goal of making eyewear more personal. The shift towards eCommerce, digitally enabled smart stores and digital manufacturing is inevitable,” says Kate Doerksen, Ditto’s CEO and co-founder. “We are excited to bring combined solutions to our clients to create a differentiated, personalized customer experience and product offering.”
The digital manufacturing technology makes it possible to shift from inventory-focused production to a more customer-centric approach, the companies report. Materialise has helped advance the fast transformation of the hearing aid industry. The company is now using its expertise to transform the eyewear industry by creating a digital manufacturing platform.
“3D printing holds the potential to transform industries by making it possible to create unique designs, manufacture in small batches and offer levels of personalization never seen before. With three decades of 3D printing experience, Materialise is ideally positioned to drive these industry transformations,” says Alireza Parandian, Global head of business strategy for wearables at Materialise. “Our collaboration with Ditto confirms our commitment to create an end-to-end digital platform for the eyewear industry.”
Materialise will provide more details about the transaction during its Q3 earnings call.
Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.
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