Extended Reality (XR) means blending or replacing the real world with digital environments and objects. It is already used by many companies and is changing how people shop and interact with products. Companies like IKEA allow customers to place virtual furniture in their homes to see how it fits in terms of size, colour and style before making a purchase. PostNord Sweden’s postal service offers a similar tool that helps users visualise the size of incoming packages as soon as they are registered in the app. Solutions like this can improve decision-making, but as of now, they are still limited to visualisation. The next step is the use of digital twins, virtual models of real-world environments. A digital twin of a home, for example, could be a detailed 3D model with correct dimensions and a layout that includes existing furniture. When things change in the house, the digital twin must be updated as well.
If we combine digital twins at home with AI, they can be used beyond just visualising the objects we might want to buy. We could get suggestions that fit perfectly in our living space. For example, a sofa suggestion for a smaller guest room, or suggestions for which style of artwork would go well with the existing furniture. This concept can also improve logistics for companies delivering packages. With access to a digital twin of a customer’s entrance or mailbox, delivery companies can choose packaging that fits the available space. This would reduce failed deliveries, minimize packaging waste, and increase efficiency. AI could even suggest splitting deliveries into smaller packages if needed.
The combination of XR, digital twins and AI will allow quicker and more personalised decisions to be made in our daily lives.
