Actronika joined "La Maison des Startups", an accelerator program created by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy) for startups from all around the world whose solutions can contribute to reinventing the customer experience of tomorrow.
Since its establishment in April 2018 at Station F in Paris, La Maison des Startups LVMH selects 50 startups every year for a 6 month program whose purpose is to generate co-creations to improve the luxury market. The program’s objective is to assist the companies with the development of new business opportunities with the 75 Maisons of the group.
The startup accelerator program chooses companies which currently provide innovative solutions with potential in the luxury industry. These companies are based on technology like artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, and connected objects, which can contribute to LVMH’s ambition to “accelerate the luxury of the future”.
As one of the finalists of the VivaTech Challenge in 2021 organized by LVMH, Actronika was invited to join this acceleration program haptics feed. Actronika had the opportunity to present to the different Maisons of the Group the potential of haptics to give customers unique sensory experiences.
The promising future of haptics in retail
The haptic technology has great potential to improve user experience in retail by providing new and various original experiences to re-enchant the customer shopping journey.
Since e-commerce has taken so much relevance during the last few years, it is imperative for brands to make the customer experience optimal.
The sense of touch is very important in making a purchase decision, but this key sense is missing from online shopping. The use of haptics allows to reintegrate touch in our digital interactions. Imagine offering online catalogues where customers are able to feel the textures of clothes or furniture they are interested in.
On the other hand, physical stores also have their own challenges with the competition of e-commerce. They need to distinguish themselves by creating a memorable experience. It would be possible to offer customers a more independent and personalized experience, such as being able to find the product that matches their criteria indicated in a pre-filled form. When they touch a product it will start to vibrate indicating the perfect match!
It is also important to highlight that the application of haptics technology is not only limited to physical or online stores, but it is now possible to differentiate yourself by integrating it into the products themselves! An example of this could be on shoes or clothes which allow the user to feel notifications or why not, a relaxing massage! The possibilities are extensive.
In a market where companies are always looking to improve their business models and provide the best user experience, the implementation of haptic technologies in retail has a strong potential to revolutionize the industry. It would allow future and existing businesses to generate valuable buyers by connecting with them emotionally through their sense of touch.
