Icon AI has created a smart makeup mirror with numerous features including display, ring light, camera, speakers, microphone, & LED lighting that can be integrated with an artificial intelligence voice assistant. With ZMirror’s display inset, you can easily watch a YouTube makeup tutorial while you apply your makeup. The mirror can be flipped from a vertical position to a horizontal position to transform ZMirror into an elegant mood light. Voice activated AI powered features allow skin diagnosis or augmented reality makeup modes, in addition to giving you the ability to check the news and the weather. or control other nearby electronics.
It’s easy to see why Icon AI’s new smart mirror has been awarded for its sleek design. Very soon the mirror will collect another award – this time a patent. Even though US Patent Publication No. US2021/0244204 only came out on August 12, a US patent has been approved and is scheduled to issue on September 7. The patent has moved through the patent process so quickly based on a granted Korean patent for the invention, using the Patent Prosecution Highway procedure.
According to the patent, in AR makeup mode a user’s skin is diagnosed and then cosmetics and skin care products may be recommended. By collecting customer data such as what cosmetics are used, cosmetic manufacturers may incorporate the data into product development and also use the data as a means of advertising, promoting and marketing. Close two-way communication with customers through the smart device is envisaged.
The functionality and beauty of this mirror make it very tempting for purchasers. But having such a device in your bathroom does bring certain questions about privacy and security to mind. The device is voice activated, meaning it is able to listen in. It has a camera so that photos or videos can be recorded. People may be hesitant to purchase a mirror which could potentially hear, see and transmit recordings of what they are doing in the privacy of their own bathrooms.
What if you forget to deactivate this device, or the device is hacked? Given its presumed location in your bathroom where photos, videos or sounds could be picked up that if recorded/transmitted could be embarrassing, privacy and security of the device will be very important. It may be possible to rely on built in electronic privacy safeguards, but a simple physical solution like offering a soundproof and lightproof cover as an accessory for ZMirror may make consumers more comfortable with purchasing it. When you aren’t using it, if you can cover it up for a measure of peace of mind and to help ensure personal privacy.
Perhaps this device is too smart; and has been overloaded unnecessarily with functionality. AI powered skin care or makeup guidance may be more suitably and safely accessed from a device which doesn’t stay in the bathroom where there is potential for it to become an electronic Peeping Tom such as your phone (see my previous blog post). To make ZMirror more palatable to those who have privacy concerns, an option to purchase it without AI features may expand the market for it. With smart features omitted, this product could be sold very successfully simply as a stylish mood light for enhancing your home decor. Although it was created in part to help you enhance your beauty, it could be sold just as successfully as a thing of beauty itself.
Beauty and the Law 