3D Printing

Instituto de Biomecánica Develops Mobile App to 3D Scan Human Body

Coming out of Valencia, Spain, is the Instituto de Biomecánica, a non-profit organization that studies the interaction between the human body, the environment, and the tech innovations that have flooded our society over time. The IBV has just developed a mobile application that is capable of performing full-body 3D scans with just two pictures through a smartphone, connecting this advanced technology to a product most of us use constantly on a daily basis. Without the need for expensive and one-dimensional (in function that is) 3D scanners, IBV is allowing anyone with their application the ability to complete a full-body scan of themselves or their subject.

3dprinting_ibv

IBV’s whole body 3D scanning app is currently being demonstrated at this year’s VI 3D Body Scanning Technologies Conference and Exhibition, being held this week in Lugano, Switzerland. IBV will also be showcasing two different approaches for efficiently estimating the 3D shape of the human form, either by using the smartphone app and camera or simply entering parameters and letting data-driven 3D reconstructions take the wheel. The algorithmic process is able to combine shape parameters from the silhouettes of human body images or entered measurements, making it much easier to virtually try on and customize wearable fashions and technologies. These presented solutions are not in fact actual 3D scanning solutions, but they do function similarly and are easy-to-use and accurate enough for most relevant applications.

“In this conference, we are introducing a cutting-edge technology for easy body scanning with a smartphone to support innovative business based on user anthropometry,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Gonzalez, the Clothing Director for IBV. “Mathematical body models developed from extensive databases allow the accurate 3D reconstruction of whole human body or body parts.”

DomeScan_IBV

IBV has focused on certain body part scans too, also releasing the DOMEScan/IBV 3D scanner, which is specially engineered for footwear store employees to use in order to scan the human foot accurately and quickly. By using this 3D foot scanner, users will be able to improve comfort and restrict pain by personalizing the footwear for the specific needs of the consumer. The scanner is already being utilized by SUNfeet, which makes 3D printed insoles that are customized for each foot, and has made a complex process conveniently placed right underneath our feet.

InshopScanning2

These new mobile apps and devices developed by the IBV can potentially give anybody access to ‘3D scanning’ right in the palm of their hand, making 3D scanning technology (and 3D printing technology in general) an all-in-all more widely-used and better understood industry.