Tech giant Alibaba Group Holding (BABA) is launching a new artificial intelligence tool designed to help restaurants create 3D virtual tours of their interiors and dining atmospheres, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Debby Wu.
According to a Bloomberg report, Alibaba’s mapping giant, AutoNavi (Amap) will soon allow restaurant owners to generate high-quality 3D visuals simply by uploading standard photos or videos of their storefronts and dining areas.
Sources indicate that the service, aims to significantly lower the marketing and promotional costs for merchants.
Alibaba plans to offer the technology free of charge to selected merchants during an initial pilot phase, according to sources familiar with the plans.
This move is a direct hit at Meituan and its Dianping app. It’s the latest play in the massive battle between Alibaba and Meituan to dominate China’s local service and food delivery sectors.
The launch aligns with CEO Eddie Wu’s broader strategy to integrate “AI-first” capabilities across all of Alibaba’s business units to reclaim market share and drive growth, echoing similar efforts at major tech companies including Alphabet Inc’s Google and Tencent Holdings Ltd.