Full-Body 3D Scanner

A group of students has successfully prototyped a three-dimensional scanner large enough to scan a full-size human. The subject stands on a turntable that rotates 360 degrees at a slow speed while a projector and high-definition camera move along the entire body. Unlike commercially available 3D scanners, which employ multiple cameras and can cost up to $200,000, the newly designed version is far more affordable.

While the less expensive design sacrifices some of the precision of a more complex machine, it is still more accurate than traditional anthropometrics and has the potential for widespread application in several fields. For example, the 3D model could be used by fashion designers to produce high-end clothing for clients without the need for fittings. In the medical industry, it could be used to more accurately measure a patient for a prosthetic limb. And, of course, in the entertainment industry, it could be used to create more realistic graphics and cartoons.

The students are looking into ways of improving the accuracy even further while reducing the time required to complete a scan. They will also evaluate the form factor to make it more compact and portable.