Finding clothes that fit properly can be a challenging and frustrating experience - after all, vague sizes such as 'S' and 'L' don't really take your unique shape into consideration.
This is where Target's AlvaScan 3D body scanner enters the picture.
In an attempt to design better fitting clothes, the Australian retailer is conducting a national sizing study with the help of a high-tech AlvaScan 3D scanning booth imported from Hong Kong. It will scan the bodies of approximately 20,000 men and women at select Target stores across the country, starting on April 26 at Westfield Parramatta.
As its name implies, the AlvaScan 3D scanning booth collects detailed data of a customer's size and shape via a millimetre wave scanner which creates a 3D image of the subject's body. The whole process takes around a minute and can be done fully clothed. Participants will also get a print of their exact measurements.
A customer tries out Target's $1m 3D scanning machine
The idea seems to be that the scanning data will help customers buy clothes online with more confidence: the 3D body data will help Target to design garments that have a better fit. The retailer hopes this will cut down on the number of online clothing purchases that are returned by unsatisfied customers.
