Overview
IKEA Place is a cornerstone application in the 2026 retail AI landscape, utilizing advanced ARKit (iOS) and ARCore (Android) frameworks to bridge the gap between digital discovery and physical placement. The application leverages high-fidelity 3D modeling and lighting estimation algorithms to render furniture at 98% scale accuracy. Architecturally, it integrates a proprietary computer vision engine that detects surfaces, environment light, and spatial boundaries to ensure virtual objects cast realistic shadows and adhere to physical world constraints. As part of IKEA's broader 'Kreativ' digital ecosystem, the tool has evolved from a simple placement app to a sophisticated spatial intelligence platform. It utilizes LiDAR-based room scanning for semantic segmentation, allowing users to not just add items, but digitally 'erase' existing furniture to re-envision spaces. In the 2026 market, it remains the gold standard for consumer-facing AR, driving high-conversion retail outcomes by reducing buyer uncertainty through technical precision and seamless integration with the global IKEA e-commerce backend.