New 3D body mapping tech helps consumers and the environment

Online shopping for clothing can be convenient but has some downsides for the environment and consumers. Consumers often return their items due to fit and size issues. This can lead to increased carbon emissions.

The Cornell University College of Human Ecology’s Department of Human Centered Design has developed a new body-mapping technology that will help customers select the right size and improve their garment design.

Jie Pei, who was working on her dissertation in the area of fiber science, stated that women typically buy two or more sizes of the exact same garment. She plans to keep one and return the rest. “Initially, I thought, “Well it’s not waste, because they send stuff back.” The problem is that it’s usually more expensive for companies than to store those products again, so the returns end up in a landfill. This is a huge waste.

Cornell has granted three patents to FIT.MATCH for the technology. Pei is now a senior data scientist at the company. Susan Ashdown, professor emerita fiber sciences and apparel design at the College of Human Ecology(CHE), is co-credited for two of these patents.

Pei used a 3D body scan database, a full-body laser scan, and software to collect and analyze data. These were housed in the Cornell Digital Fashion & Body Scan Research Lab. Fatma Baytar is assistant professor of fiber science in CHE.

Baytar claims that HCD is a global leader due to the combination of expert faculty and state-ofthe-art equipment.

Baytar said that there are faculty with backgrounds in design and engineering, as well as fiber science and the latest technologies. This attracts highly skilled students and researchers from all over the globe. “Like Pei they have design training when they leave our programme. They are digital natives who can use 3D Software and body scanners and can work with a lot of data points from all the databases they accessed while they were here.

The first patent is for a 3D mapping technique that helps companies find the most representative shapes for a specific population. It also assists consumers in choosing the right size and style for them. Pei stated that the size of the garment is only one aspect. Body shapes can vary greatly even within the same size.

Pei said that while other app-based body scanner technology is available, it does not extract body measurements from 3D images. However, those measurements don’t tell you how the garment will fit. “Two bodies can have identical bust and waist circumferences. However, they will have drastically different shapes that will influence how a garment fits.”

Pei’s second invention focuses on the processing and analysis of 4D body scans. The fourth dimension of the scan is time. It allows researchers to study breast movement in exercise. This technology allows for advancements in bra design and evaluation, as well as personal protective equipment. Pei stated that around 85% of women have fit issues with bras. This can lead to neck, back, and shoulder pain.

The third invention is an algorithm that converts 3D body scans into custom-fit garment patterns. It relies solely on the unique 3D geometry and body type.

Baytar stated that technology like this will help reduce the carbon footprint of online shopping and improve customer satisfaction. “We’re still talking mass production, but it may one day become a system that’s more like mass customization.”

According to Haniff, FIT.MATCH CEO and founder, FIT.MATCH has signed deals with two multibillion dollar retailers.

Pei said that HCD’s interdisciplinarity in fiber science and apparel designing helped her succeed in an industry that relies on collaboration between data scientists, engineers, and fashion designers.

“The power to merge fiber science and design has to be really crucial, because you need to have both engineers and designerslisten to one another. It is difficult to learn to communicate in languages you have never learned.