Manchester-based tech business DigitalBridge has launched what it claims to be the world’s first virtual design assistant for kitchens and bathrooms.

The tool uses AI technology to allow consumers to design living spaces while conforming to regulatory requirements.

“The current process for designing a new bathroom or kitchen is flawed; it’s painful, slow and full of friction,” said DigitalBridge CEO David Levine.

“Consumers no longer need to wait to arrange that gap in their diary to visit a professional at the outset or be visited at home.”

Like a real-life designer, the assistant first seeks to understand the consumer’s tastes and needs. It sources inspiration through platforms like Pininterest and helps to create an accurate floor plan using 3D scanning.

The tool then pulls together a range of information, such as the project budget, to make relevant product suggestions and create tailor-made designs in minutes.

The technology has been designed to integrate directly into a retailer’s website so consumers can design and visualise their projects on any device.

Levine added: “Customers no longer need to feel overwhelmed by all the unknowns associated with renovating their homes, from measuring the room to understanding budgets which is slowing down purchases and leaving many projects abandoned.

“We’re excited to launch this new tool; the first technology of its kind to bring home renovation into the 21st century and put customers in charge.”

The launch follows an “exciting” 12 months for DigitalBridge, during which it strengthened its team with Lee Spooner, previously digital lead at Kingfisher and Jonathan Wall, the former CDO at Missguided.

The company was also selected for Sadiq Khan’s #GoToGrow programme, which supports high growth companies looking to expand outside the UK.