Shape-shifting dummies could change garment fitting in a big way

Anatomy just went robotic. A new robotic mannequin called i.Dummy is designed to model clothing. This familiar structure that mimics the human body is far from being inanimate; panels on the device can alter the form factor to simulate different body shapes in real-time. This “fitting avatar” enables users to adjust and achieve hundreds of human body measurements and shapes with just a few clicks.

Invented by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Institute of Textiles and Clothing, this robot could change how fashion designers create their styles. The team that developed this technology collected anthropometric information — measurements of the human body’s size and proportion — of people from all over the world, as well as actual body shapes using a 3D Body Scanner.

It can be used in fashion design as well. Complicated mechanical structures inside the case work together to provide micro-measurements. Users can perfectly size a wide variety of body types.

According to the manufacturer, these measurements are immediate, accurate and reliable. With such a variety of applications, this mannequin and flexible machine is sure to modernize several industries. It could be used for:

• Garment Fitting: It could be used to conduct quality checks for any size at any time
• Fashion institutes and art schools can use this as an education tool
• Customized fitting for couture design
• On-demand garment creation

Now, instead of needing to employ a large number of old-school, stationary mannequins of varying sizes for fittings and product development, design houses, institutions and factories can complete innumerable jobs with just one of these robots in-house. While it could shake up these industries, its shape-shifting qualities could also end up shaking up some window shoppers as well.

i.Dummy

Originally published at www.psfk.com on February 11, 2016.