A customer points a smartphone at their empty living room and watches a virtual sofa appear, change colour, and stretch to fit the space before they click "buy". This project upgrades Infinitive, an existing software platform that turns custom orders into manufacturing instructions, by adding augmented reality (AR) so shoppers can see and modify products in their own homes. The problem is straightforward: customers want to customise furniture but struggle to picture how a different fabric or wider table will look in their actual room. This mismatch drives returns and lost sales. Infinitive AR lets users adjust dimensions, swap materials, and view the result in real time through their phone or tablet, all before the manufacturer cuts a single piece of wood. If the project succeeds, furniture manufacturers gain a sales tool that could reduce return rates and increase conversion. The platform already handles the production side—turning a custom order into cutting instructions—so the AR visualisation closes the loop between what a customer imagines and what a factory builds. The same approach could later extend to other custom-made goods, from kitchen cabinets to office partitions.
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Infinitive, a unique Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) configurator-to-production platform for manufacturers, is to be enhanced through this project by integrating Augmented Reality (AR) for end-users. This innovative project aims to revolutionise the way manufacturers and their customers visualise and customise products, initially using a focus on manufacturers of custom and modular furniture. In today's competitive marketplace, customers demand a high degree of customisation in the products they purchase. They want to see exactly how a product will look before they commit to buying it, and they want the ability to tailor products to their specific requirements. This is particularly true in industries such as furniture manufacturing, where Infinitive has a strong presence. The Infinitive AR project responds to this customer demand by allowing users to intuitively customise products in their own environment using AR. For example, a customer could place a virtual piece of furniture in their own living room, change the dimensions, swap out materials, and see exactly how the customised product would look in their space. This project represents a significant enhancement to the existing Infinitive platform, and it is expected to deliver substantial benefits to both manufacturers and their customers. Manufacturers will gain a unique tool for engaging with customers and customising products, potentially increasing sales and reducing product returns. Customers will gain a powerful tool for visualising and customising products, improving their purchase experience and satisfaction. The development of Infinitive AR will be carried out by Infinitive's internal team, who bring a wealth of expertise in 3D software development. The project will involve an initial design phase, followed by workshop sessions with volunteers and industry professionals to evaluate the visualisations and interactions. Infinitive AR represents an exciting step forward in the application of AR technology, and it has the potential to transform the way products are visualised and customised.
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