Are you a small ecommerce seller having a hard time figuring out the best box size for your order shipment? eBay is leveraging augmented reality (AR) technology to allow shippers to determine the most economical flat-rate box from the U.S. Postal Service.
According to an eBay blog, the solution is built on Google’s Android ARCore platform, using motion tracking and environmental understanding to let shippers place an item inside different sized virtual boxes. Users select a box size, place the virtual box over their item and move it around to see a complete view of the product as it would be packed inside. The can then choose the appropriate USPS box or pack it themselves.
eBay plans to offer similar sizing assistance for other carriers and mail systems in other countries, according to enGadget.
According to eBay’s blog, the new capability “will help with accurate sizing for sold merchandise, save time that would be wasted scouring boxes at the local post office, and provide real-time calculation of shipping costs.”
“By coupling Google’s ARCore platform with premiere AR technology built at eBay, we are continuing to make the selling experience more seamless,” said James Meeks, Head of Mobile for eBay in the blog. “This technology is just one example of the types of innovation we’re working on to transform eBay. It demonstrates our continual innovation on behalf our sellers to help them save time and remove barriers.”