Architecture

The Output layer will be responsible for presenting the products available in the VR environment. Moreover, a web environment will be served as alternative for product visualization. Additionally, plans tailored to each user’s profile will be shown based on offers or leisure activities around the collection points offered for the potential purchase that the user is going to make.

The AI-Based Reasoning layer will serve for recommending the most suitable products for the specific user, as well as the plans around the collection points. User profiles will be updated as the user interacts with the platform, allowing this layer to infer new possible recommendations and plans. However, the platform will offer both options: picking-up the products motivated by offering those plans and delivery to home. In addition, this layer manages a fair distribution of potential sales and benefits for the small businesses, taking into account variables such as stock or sales made.

The Input layer will record the actions of the potential buyer within the platform. Interactions showing user interest within the virtual environment can be measured using the SDKs and technologies integrated into the VR headsets, as well as in the web part. To help the user easily find what they want, an avatar of a virtual assistant will be offered to help find specific products within the virtual space to interact with. Also, clients can also interact with avatars of sellers to know more about the background and details of products.

The remaining layers serve to support these layers. The Persistence layer will store all necessary data in different data repositories. The various institutions and businesses that wish to join will be considered when generating plans around collection points. From the seller’s perspective, they will have the possibility of scanning their products so that they can be included in the platform and be represented in the VR environment as realistic 3D models. Furthermore, these 3D models must be categorized for their presentation in the virtual environment, as well as to know their availability or collect useful statistics for the seller.