La Vitre, a French start-up, is revolutionising communication for the fashion industry with its interactive screens, promoting connectivity and operational efficiency for leading brands like Chanel.
In an era where video conferencing has often proven both tiring and inefficient, particularly in fields demanding high levels of interaction and presentation, the French start-up La Vitre is emerging as a notable innovator in the realm of communication technology for businesses, particularly within the fashion and luxury sectors. Established in 2019, the company has crafted a human-size interactive screen aimed at enhancing connectivity across diverse geographical locations, providing a distinctive alternative to conventional small-screen video calls.
Luxury fashion brand Chanel has been an early adopter, utilising La Vitre’s technology over the past two years to bridge the distance between its design teams and suppliers located across Europe, from Normandy to Scotland and Italy. Romuald Boulanger, one of the co-founders, highlighted that other prestigious luxury brands are following suit, indicating a growing interest in the product among elite fashion industry players.
The interface developed by La Vitre presents various opportunities for usage in industry-related contexts. Boulanger elaborated that potential applications extend beyond mere distance communication; they encompass scenarios such as virtual fittings, detailed sales appointments, and collaborative design discussions. The versatility of the technology positions it as a valuable asset within the fashion and retail landscape, with Boulanger expressing optimism regarding the tool’s future capabilities.
La Vitre’s technology aims to create an immersive communicative experience. During a recent demonstration at Microsoft’s Paris headquarters, the device was showcased as being perpetually operational; users activate the large touch screen through a simple tap, akin to knocking on a glass door. The dual-sided screen facilitates two-way interactions enriched with several technological enhancements, including AI-powered live translations and the ability to share intricate product images via connected devices.
For instance, the capacity for remote design teams to collaborate in real-time is a significant selling point for the device. Teams across different countries can engage in detailed discussions while interacting with visual assets, such as sketches and product prototypes, which can be annotated and shared instantaneously. Such functionality allows professionals in design and manufacturing to coordinate adjustments or present new products seamlessly, enhancing operational efficiency.
A pivotal aspect of La Vitre’s offering is its adaptability. The technology requires a minimum internet connection speed of 5 Mbps to function optimally, and it features adjustable camera settings tailored to user preferences, ensuring clear and effective visual communication. Boulanger emphasised that the experience is designed to go beyond traditional video calls, focusing instead on what is essential to observe in any given interaction.
The potential for retail applications has already been realised, as evidenced by Spanish brand Sepiia’s use of the technology for a remote shopping experience. In an innovative move, Sepiia set up a La Vitre screen in a shopping gallery in Santiago de Compostela, allowing customers to access products from its Madrid store, turning what was intended as a demonstration into a successful pop-up store.
La Vitre, linked to the digital agency Ucaya, initially developed from the company’s need to unify teams across its offices in Nantes and Paris. Looking ahead, Boulanger envisions the technology finding its place not only in fashion but also in healthcare, training, and event coordination. He imagines scenarios where remote interaction can take place with celebrities or professionals in other fields, thereby expanding the utility of La Vitre’s screens.
Currently, La Vitre operates showrooms in multiple French cities, as well as in Monaco, Geneva, Montreal, Dallas, and Atlanta, with plans to extend to Toronto early next year. The company offers a leasing option for its 86-inch screen and accompanying speaker at a cost of 500 euros per month, requiring a minimum commitment of 36 months. While specific revenue figures have not been publicly disclosed, La Vitre aims to increase its operational screens from the current 300 to 500 within a medium-term timeframe, reflecting its ambition to solidify its place within the evolving landscape of business communication technology.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://lavitre.fr/en-us – La Vitre’s official website explaining their solution for multi-site teams and the concept of digital windows.
- https://nerdnewssocial.com/ces-2022-la-vitre/ – Details on La Vitre’s standalone digital window and its interactive touchscreen features.
- https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2020/09/13/la-vitre-screen-will-change-corporate-video-conferencing/ – Article highlighting La Vitre’s impact on corporate video conferencing and its use in stand-up meetings.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ogtTSpx5g – Video demonstration of La Vitre’s technology, including real-time translation and interactive features at ISE 2022.
- https://lavitre.fr/en-us/commander/bundle – Information on La Vitre’s bundle offer, which includes a turnkey solution for businesses.
- https://nerdnewssocial.com/ces-2022-la-vitre/ – Description of how La Vitre’s technology facilitates two-way interactions and the ability to manipulate pictures and videos.
- https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2020/09/13/la-vitre-screen-will-change-corporate-video-conferencing/ – Mention of La Vitre’s use in enhancing connectivity across diverse geographical locations.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26ogtTSpx5g – Demonstration of La Vitre’s technology with AI-powered live translations and real-time collaboration features.
- https://lavitre.fr/en-us – Details on how La Vitre’s technology is designed to go beyond traditional video calls, focusing on essential interaction elements.
- https://nerdnewssocial.com/ces-2022-la-vitre/ – Example of La Vitre’s adaptability, including adjustable camera settings and minimum internet connection requirements.
- https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2020/09/13/la-vitre-screen-will-change-corporate-video-conferencing/ – Discussion on the potential for retail applications, such as Sepiia’s remote shopping experience.
