IKEA Kreativ – How IKEA leveraged Artificial Intelligence (AI) for a better Customer Experience 

IKEA is well known for its elaborate displays of living spaces for customers to visualize the functionality of its products. The company has taken this attempt a little further by allowing customers to create their own spaces using IKEA’s furniture. IKEA Kreativ, a new AI-driven digital design environment, was introduced by Ingka Group, the biggest IKEA store.

Customers now have a realistic, completely integrated way to build and envision their own living environments from smartphones and computers. IKEA Kreativ combines years of IKEA experience with cutting-edge advances in 3D Mixed Reality, Machine Learning, and Spatial Computing.

The motivation behind IKEA Kreativ

IKEA survey reported that more than 60% of customers have had to change how their homes work since the pandemic. 84% of clients believe it is crucial to have autonomy over their living environment. Additionally, more IKEA customers purchase home items through digital channels. They intend to improve this experience by incorporating enchantments they can find at IKEA shops. IKEA Kreativ provides clients with the control they need to design and furnish attractive and practical rooms quickly and easily.

Silicon Valley AI experts in Geomagical Labs created the foundational technology behind IKEA Kreativ. The Ingka Group bought the technology in April 2020. Through lifelike interactive design, the user-friendly experience seeks to excite clients and unleash their creativity. The technology assists them in visualizing how furnishings will appear, fit, and perform in their homes.

IKEA Kreativ allows customers to discover IKEA items in 3D showrooms and create their own spaces. The technology can analyze clients’ homes using cutting-edge AI, and Machine Learning technology, much like self-driving vehicles do. These include Computational Photo Algorithms, Stereo Vision Algorithms to view in three dimensions, and Mixed Reality 3D Graphics. The AI Neural Networks can detect the items and geometry of indoor settings. It can also use AI algorithms to remove part or all of the current furniture from the scene.

IKEA Kreativ will be available to Android users in FY23, soon after the rollout for iOS and desktop users in the US.