Toronto-based ModiFace, which creates augmented reality technology for the beauty and medical industries, announced a partnership with Dai-Ichi Life, Japan’s largest insurance company.
The company is leveraging ModiFace’s facial tracking technology to create a “health promotion” app which can simulate aging, anti-aging, and weight simulation on a user.
Over 50,000 facial images are used to analyze a user’s face and show their age progression based on the parameters of their own skin. By evaluating current wrinkles, moles, and other skin characteristics, the application uses science to simulate how these features change over time.
“After looking into options on face-based augmented reality, Dai-Ichi realized that by far, the leading company (largest patent portfolio, deep skin visualization experience including working with many medical companies and dermatologists) in this area was ModiFace. Dai-Ichi then approached ModiFace for engaging in this partnership,” said Parham Aarabi, CEO of ModiFace.
ModiFace has previously partnered with companies in Asia, including Japan’s IPSA cosmetics brand, LOFT beauty retailers, and Laneige, a Korean prestige beauty brand. In 2016, ModiFace partnered with Sephora to bring ModiFace’s AR technology to their online and retail stores in Asia-Pacific countries. In the same year, ModiFace hired permanent sales teams in both Japan and Korea, with the goal of reaching and servicing new brands in the Asia-Pacific region.
“Asia has been an area of exceptionally active growth, driven by innovative brands willing to try new augmented reality technologies and savvy consumers willing to adopt and utilize them. This combination has created a perfect storm for the incorporation of impactful AR technology,” said Aarabi.
ModiFace has made a number of developments in the beauty industry, including the release of a makeup brand-matching chatbot on Facebook Messenger in 2016.