A new IKEA pilot in Germany uses AI to help people imagine the possibilities of a new home, transforming images of empty rooms in property listings into inspiring spaces featuring real IKEA products.
Finding a new home is always an exciting time, and one full of possibilities. But imagining how a space could become a home isn’t always easy, whether renting or buying. IKEA is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can help bridge that gap, bringing home furnishing inspiration closer to the moment people begin imagining their future home, helping them see what is possible and make more confident decisions about their next home.
The new pilot with Germany’s largest real estate platform, ImmoScout24, also gives IKEA an opportunity to explore the real estate sector from a different perspective, better understand people’s needs and behaviours when searching for a new home, and discover new ways to connect with customers at an earlier stage.
Developed by the IKEA global digital teams, the solution combines AI technology with decades of IKEA home furnishing knowledge. It analyses images of empty and furnished rooms and creates realistic visualisations featuring IKEA furniture and home accessories, with product selections developed together with IKEA interior design experts. The pilot currently covers living rooms and bedrooms, with the possibility of expanding into other rooms as the solution develops.
Parag Parekh, Global Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for IKEA Retail (Ingka Group)
“For IKEA, the pilot represents another step in exploring how digital technologies can make home furnishing more convenient as well as fun and inspiring! It is also part of the wider IKEA ambition to create a seamless omnichannel experience, connecting the different moments when people discover, explore and shop for home furnishing solutions.”
Exploring the possibilities of AI for customers
With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, IKEA continues to test and try new ideas to make the customer experience better. The collaboration with ImmoScout24 is one example of how AI can bring IKEA home furnishing knowledge closer to people, helping them imagine the fun possibilities of a new home and making it easier to turn inspiration into reality.
“Depending on the learnings and outcomes of the one-year pilot, IKEA will explore opportunities to further develop and potentially expand the solution, always with the aim of creating simpler, more inspiring and accessible experiences for the many,” says Parekh.
About Ingka Group
With IKEA retail operations in 32 markets, Ingka Group is the largest IKEA retailer and represents 87% of IKEA retail sales. It is a strategic partner to develop and innovate the IKEA business and help define common IKEA strategies. Ingka Group owns and operates IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V. It has three business areas: IKEA Retail, Ingka Investments and Ingka Centres. Read more on Ingka.com.
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