ISRAEL 
HIGH-TECH & INVESTMENT REPORT

from the December 2011 issue


Bodymetrics Body Scanner

In one of the first commercialized applications of natural interaction beyond gaming, Bodymetrics has applied the 3D sensors of PrimseSense to the fashion industry.

Bodymetrics isn't new to the fashion and body scanner scene, their body scanners have been installed in Selfridges for years, making the UK luxury chain embrace technology and drive up jean sales to the tune of 20% of all denim sales. But this body scanner is different, it is the first of its kind to create a full 3D body scanner using the technology and 3D sensors from PrimeSense, the Israeli company that provided the natural interaction technology to Kinect. This deployment is a sound illustration that their technology will enable consumer devices to "see" environments and allow users to control and interact naturally with those devices in a simple and intuitive way.

The body scanner uses eight PrimeSense 3D sensors to map the body's measurements and shape. Bodymetrics revolutionizes the way consumers buy clothes through the virtual 'try on' of outfits both at retail stores and through online clothing retailers, enabling customers to gauge a more realistic fit before purchase.

The new 3D body scanner with the PrimeSense technology launched at New Look, a global clothing retailer at their newest location in the Westfield Stratford shopping complex. New Look is the UK's largest high-street jeans retailer, selling a pair of jeans every seven seconds. The initial 3D body scanner application focuses on providing advice by Bodymetrics 'Fit Stylists' for the best fitting jeans for female customers. The scanner quickly and accurately calculates 100 measurements. Body-shape analytics are then used to find garments that best suit the customer's unique shape and size.

"The body is the last piece of information to go digital. Most of your life is already digital - your friends, your music, your bank account - all accessible on-line, but your body is not. Bodymetrics together with PrimeSense is enabling consumers to store and access all their body information online and link this to retailers. Now, body scanning becomes a powerful platform for many retailers to provide the personalized fit and service their customers have always wanted," says Suran Goonatilake, CEO, Bodymetrics.

Previous generations of body scanners have been expensive and too complex for most clothing retailers to realistically deploy due to moving parts such as lasers or millimeter wave detectors. Bodymetrics' body scanner using PrimeSense technology was developed over a 10-month period and will be a fraction of the cost of previous body scanners. It is easily installed at a retail location within a few hours.

For the apparel retailing industry, the new body scanning technology has the potential to provide new levels of personalized customer service in stores and increase on-line sales. It could also prove to be the solution to reduce the number of returned clothes due to incorrect fit. Between 20% to 40% of all on-line clothing purchases are returned to the retailer because they don't fit.

"Right now a lot of technologies are coming together: social media, body-scanners, and online accounts that store your body measurements. We believe soon most retailers will install body scanners and allow customers to access their Bodymetrics account online and through their phones. You will soon be able to shop for garments that fit your size, shape and style, and also share these experiences with your friends on Facebook," adds Goonatilake.

Bodymetrics is a London-based privately held company that has raised $7m in funding, primarily from its strategic partner, TAL Group (www.talgroup.com), one of the world's largest and most advanced clothing manufacturing groups. Bodymetrics Body Scanner In one of the first commercialized applications of natural interaction beyond gaming, Bodymetrics has applied the 3D sensors of PrimseSense to the fashion industry.

Bodymetrics isn't new to the fashion and body scanner scene, their body scanners have been installed in Selfridges for years, making the UK luxury chain embrace technology and drive up jean sales to the tune of 20% of all denim sales. But this body scanner is different, it is the first of its kind to create a full 3D body scanner using the technology and 3D sensors from PrimeSense, the Israeli company that provided the natural interaction technology to Kinect. This deployment is a sound illustration that their technology will enable consumer devices to "see" environments and allow users to control and interact naturally with those devices in a simple and intuitive way.

The body scanner uses eight PrimeSense 3D sensors to map the body's measurements and shape. Bodymetrics revolutionizes the way consumers buy clothes through the virtual 'try on' of outfits both at retail stores and through online clothing retailers, enabling customers to gauge a more realistic fit before purchase.

The new 3D body scanner with the PrimeSense technology launched at New Look, a global clothing retailer at their newest location in the Westfield Stratford shopping complex. New Look is the UK's largest high-street jeans retailer, selling a pair of jeans every seven seconds. The initial 3D body scanner application focuses on providing advice by Bodymetrics 'Fit Stylists' for the best fitting jeans for female customers. The scanner quickly and accurately calculates 100 measurements. Body-shape analytics are then used to find garments that best suit the customer's unique shape and size.

"The body is the last piece of information to go digital. Most of your life is already digital - your friends, your music, your bank account - all accessible on-line, but your body is not. Bodymetrics together with PrimeSense is enabling consumers to store and access all their body information online and link this to retailers. Now, body scanning becomes a powerful platform for many retailers to provide the personalized fit and service their customers have always wanted," says Suran Goonatilake, CEO, Bodymetrics.

Previous generations of body scanners have been expensive and too complex for most clothing retailers to realistically deploy due to moving parts such as lasers or millimeter wave detectors. Bodymetrics' body scanner using PrimeSense technology was developed over a 10-month period and will be a fraction of the cost of previous body scanners. It is easily installed at a retail location within a few hours.

For the apparel retailing industry, the new body scanning technology has the potential to provide new levels of personalized customer service in stores and increase on-line sales. It could also prove to be the solution to reduce the number of returned clothes due to incorrect fit. Between 20% to 40% of all on-line clothing purchases are returned to the retailer because they don't fit.

"Right now a lot of technologies are coming together: social media, body-scanners, and online accounts that store your body measurements. We believe soon most retailers will install body scanners and allow customers to access their Bodymetrics account online and through their phones. You will soon be able to shop for garments that fit your size, shape and style, and also share these experiences with your friends on Facebook," adds Goonatilake.

Bodymetrics is a London-based privately held company that has raised $7m in funding, primarily from its strategic partner, TAL Group.com), one of the world's largest and most advanced clothing manufacturing groups.



Reprinted from the Israel High-Tech & Investment Report December 2011

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