Fluid’s Watson-Powered Shopping App Will Debut Next Year
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Fluid Inc., an Internet startup that helps shoppers create custom Brooks Brothers suits and Reebok sneakers, will introduce its first app powered by International Business Machines Corp.’s Watson system by mid-2014, pushing the technology into the consumer market for the first time.
The Fluid Expert Personal Shopper will take advantage of Watson’s ability to answer questions in plain English and learn from the responses, said Fluid Chief Executive Officer Kent Deverell. The application will be able to have conversations with customers and then recommend clothing based on their tastes -- say, a winter coat with just the right fit. A prototype version has been built for VF Corp.’s North Face brand, he said.