3-DIMENSIONAL SURFACE ANTHROPOMETRY - APPLICATIONS TO THE HUMAN-BODY

Anthropometry is the study of the measurement of the human body. By tr adition this has been carried our taking the measurements from body su rface landmarks, such as circumferences and breadths, using simple ins truments like tape measures and calipers. Three-dimensional (3D) surfa ce anthropometry enables us to extend the study to 3D geometry and mor phology of mainly external human body tissues. It includes the acquisi tion, indexing, transmission, archiving, retrieval, interrogation and analysis of body size, shape, and surface together with their variabil ity throughout growth and development to adulthood. While 3D surface a nthropometry surveying is relatively new, anthropometric surveying usi ng traditional tools, such as calipers and tape measures, is not. Reco rded studies of the human form date back to ancient times. Since at le ast the 17th century(1) investigators have made attempts to measure th e human body for physical properties such as weight, size, and centre of mass. Martin documented 'standard' body measurement methods in a ha ndbook in 1928.(2) This paper reviews the past and current literature devoted to the applications of 3D anthropometry because true 3D scanni ng of the complete human body is fast becoming a reality. We attempt t o take venders through different forms of technology which deal with s imple forms of projected Eight to the more complex advanced forms of l aser and video technology giving low and/or high resolution 3D data. I nformation is also given about image capture of size and shape of the whole as well as most component parts of the human body. In particular , the review describes with explanations a multitude of applications, for example, medical, product design, human engineering, anthropometry and ergonomics etc. Crown (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.