In an effort to make it easier and more accurate for people with vision impairments to apply makeup, Estée Lauder has developed a voice-assisted app. The device uses artificial intelligence to guide the user as they prepare.
Voice-Enabled Makeup Assistant (VMA) is the latest addition to the Estée Lauder group. This application was developed with visually impaired people who expressed the need for a tool that would give them more independence in applying makeup.
VMA uses voice instruction technologies. Consumers receive audio feedback and tips on whether their lipstick, eyeshadow or foundation is on evenly. Using artificial intelligence, VMA identifies the makeup applied to the user’s face and evaluates the consistency of application. The tool targets areas where touch-ups are needed.
“We are committed to creating innovative solutions that make beauty truly accessible to all. We are pleased to bring the experience of a makeup-independent application to millions of people with visual impairments,” said Michael Smith, CIO for The Estée Lauder Companies. “Digital is enabling inclusion and we are thrilled to be the first in the industry with this pioneering concept.”
The VMA app will initially be available for download on the Apple App Store in the UK and on the brand’s UK website. It will then be available on Google Play. It will take a few more months for the tool to be rolled out to the group’s other subsidiaries.