The paper compares manual body measurements taken by skilled apparel professionals with those obtained from a Size Stream SS20 3D body scanner. The goal is to assess the reliability (precision and repeatability) and compatibility (accuracy and agreement) of these two methods. By analyzing over 60 subjects and applying statistical methods, the study aims to determine whether 3D body scanning can match or surpass traditional manual measurements in the apparel industry.
The study confirms that 3D body scanning is more precise and reliable than traditional manual measurement techniques. While some adjustments are needed to align scanning outputs with manual methods, the technology presents a viable, cost-effective, and scalable solution for the apparel industry and beyond.
Key takeaway
An IEEE-commissioned study found that Size Stream’s SS20 scanner achieved an average coefficient of variation of just 0.9% across 14 measurements, less than half the 2.3% CV of skilled apparel professionals wi,th its precision advantage statistically significant at greater than 99% confidence for every measurement evaluated. Once a bias-shift calibration is applied, ISO 20685 equivalence testing confirmed full compatibility with tape measurements, validating that the SS20 measures the same thing as a human measurer, only far more reliably across operators, locations, and time. Conducted under the IEEE 3D Body Processing Industry Connections group’s formal evaluation framework, this study positions the SS20 as the definitive precision benchmark for body measurement in apparel and beyond.