Perhaps revolutionizing apparel was one of Amazon’s New Year’s resolutions, and it’s wasting no time making it happen. According to The Verge, the company patented a blended-reality mirror, which would let users try on clothes virtually.

The patent describes a mirror that is partially-reflective and partially-transmissive, and uses displays, cameras and projectors to generate a blended image. The mirror scans the environment for its virtual model, and identifies the face and eyes of the user to determine the reflection. Then, the virtual clothes and scene are transmitted through the mirror to give users their virtual garments.

Amazon’s latest patent could make dressing rooms a thing of the past. | Credit: The Verge

Amazon’s latest patent seems to go hand-in-hand with its acquisition of AI-software company Body Labs, which creates 3D models of human bodies in motion and dresses them in virtual outfits. Plus, Amazon’s new Echo Look technology features a hands-free video camera that can take floor-length photos of users to provide style advice and fashion recommendations.

Amazon has already made its mark on the apparel world, but technology like this that could accurately show users what potential apparel purchases would look like on would be revolutionary and a solution to the main problem with online shopping. As a result, it could have a huge impact on retail brick-and-mortar shops.

There’s no telling how close Amazon is to putting this technology into the homes of consumers, and for all we know, it might not happen at all. After all, plenty of patents never come to fruition. But, Amazon has proven itself time and time again over the past year, and we have no doubt the company is working on something interesting.