Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Taiwan-based startup Perfect Corp. entered into a global strategic partnership that will allow the Chinese e-commerce giant to use Perfect's augmented reality technology on its online platforms.
The beauty platform developer integrated its YouCam Makeup AR virtual try-on technology into Alibaba's Taobao and Tmall online marketplaces.
The technology allows online shoppers to virtually try on makeup products to help them decide whether to buy.
"We need the innovative technology to level up the consumer experience, and also the product experience, shopping experience to fulfill the demands of our customers," said Mike Hu, general manager for fast-moving consumer goods at Tmall.
Alibaba reportedly is participating in a new round of funding for Perfect Corp., Bloomberg News reported Sept. 19, citing people who asked not to be identified.
Chinese venture capital firm CCV and CyberLink Corp. also are participating in the round, the report said.
Representatives for Alibaba and CCV declined to comment, while representatives for Perfect Corp. and CyberLink did not respond to the news agency's request for comment.
