Army team is using 4D scanner systems to increase understanding of human motion

By Jane Benson, DEVCOM Soldier Center Public AffairsJune 5, 2023

DEVCOM SC 4D Scanner research
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC, are using 4D scanning as a tool to better understand human movement and the effect it may have on clothing and equipment fit and function. DEVCOM SC is equipped with two scanner systems — a full-body 4D scanner and a head 4D scanner. 4D scanning allows for the collection of images and the creation of digital human models which replicate body shapes in motion. Incorporating movement into anthropometric data greatly aids in the design of equipment and clothing. 4D scanning enables body measurements and the impact of motion to be captured in a series of scans. Peng Li, Ph.D., (pictured here in blue shirt), is a computer scientist at DEVCOM SC. Li explained that the 4D scanning capabilities enable DEVCOM SC researchers “to scan the Soldiers with or without gear in multiple poses continuously and obtain dynamic and functional anthropometric measurements.” (Photo Credit: David Kamm, DEVCOM SC) VIEW ORIGINAL
DEVCOM SC 4D Scanning
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC, are using 4D scanning as a tool to better understand human movement and the effect it may have on clothing and equipment fit and function. DEVCOM SC is equipped with two scanner systems — a full-body 4D scanner and a head 4D scanner. 4D scanning allows for the collection of images and the creation of digital human models which replicate body shapes in motion. Incorporating movement into anthropometric data greatly aids in the design of equipment and clothing. 4D scanning enables body measurements and the impact of motion to be captured in a series of scans. Peng Li, Ph.D., (pictured here left), a computer scientist at DEVCOM SC, explained that the 4D scanning capabilities enable DEVCOM SC researchers “to scan the Soldiers with or without gear in multiple poses continuously and obtain dynamic and functional anthropometric measurements.” (Photo Credit: David Kamm, DEVCOM SC) VIEW ORIGINAL
DEVCOM SC 4D Scanners
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Researchers at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC, are using 4D scanning as a tool to better understand human movement and the effect it may have on clothing and equipment fit and function. DEVCOM SC is equipped with two scanner systems — a full-body 4D scanner (pictured here) and a head 4D scanner. 4D scanning allows for the collection of images and the creation of digital human models which replicate body shapes in motion. Incorporating movement into anthropometric data greatly aids in the design of equipment and clothing. 4D scanning enables body measurements and the impact of motion to be captured in a series of scans. (Photo Credit: David Kamm, DEVCOM SC) VIEW ORIGINAL

NATICK, Mass. – Science is in motion at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center, or DEVCOM SC. Researchers are using 4D scanning as a tool to better understand human movement and the effect it may have on clothing and equipment fit and function. They are equipped with two scanner systems — a full-body 4D scanner and a head 4D scanner.

DEVCOM SC researchers are longtime experts in human factors and anthropometry. They investigate the interaction between Soldiers and the equipment they use and the clothing they wear to optimize fit, comfort, safety, survivability and performance.

4D scanning allows for the collection of images and the creation of digital human models which replicate body shapes in motion. Incorporating movement into anthropometric data greatly aids in the design of equipment and clothing. 4D scanning enables body measurements and the impact of motion to be captured in a series of scans.

“The 4D scanner can record a sequence of images similar to a camcorder, but each image is a 3D surface,” said Peng Li, Ph.D., a computer scientist at DEVCOM SC. “The main advantage of a 4D scanner is its ability to capture 3D shapes in motion since it can take sixty 3D images in one second. This enables us to scan the Soldiers with or without gear in multiple poses continuously and obtain dynamic and functional anthropometric measurements. This also opens the door to other fundamental research that may be able to link human performance to pose variation, skin deformation, etc.”

The 4D Scanner improves the ability of DEVCOM SC scientists to gather anthropometric data, which impacts the effective design and optimization of a wide range of military and commercial products. Protective clothing, helmets, load carriage equipment, vehicles, aircraft cockpits, and workstations all require anthropometric data.

The data gathered will be used to improve the fit, comfort, and performance of protective clothing and equipment and other wearables, including sensors and exoskeletons that help optimize Soldier performance. Further research is needed before scientists and engineers know all the capabilities of the 4D scanner.

“Although the 4D scanner has been around for over ten years, the application using 4D scans is still in its infancy stage,” said Li. “A very promising application is the development of functional apparel that is tight fitting but enables performance during action, such as a sports bra or counter-pressure suit for astronauts. For us, collecting dynamic anthropometric measurements for clothing or product design will be the most straight forward application.”

Li explained that the new scanner will be used to collect body measurements in dynamic poses and likely be used to create a new anthropometric database since the measurements may differ from those in existing databases.

Li explained how the 4D scanner is an improvement over the laboratory’s existing 3D scanning equipment.

“The biggest improvement is reducing image capturing time,” said Li. “This puts the new scanner into a different category as our old 3D scanners take 20 seconds to scan only one subject.”

Li explained that research suggested the tight fit, performance clothing design may especially benefit from 4D scanning.

“Gear that requires a multiple pose evaluation of human-gear interface also will benefit,” said Li.

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About DEVCOM Soldier Center: The DEVCOM Soldier Center is committed to discovering, developing, and advancing science and technology solutions that ensure America’s warfighters are optimized, protected, and lethal. DEVCOM Soldier Center supports all the Army's Modernization efforts, with the Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment Cross Functional Teams being the DEVCOM Soldier Center’s chief areas of focus. The center’s science and engineering expertise are combined with collaborations with industry, DOD, and academia to advance Soldier and squad performance. The center supports the Army as it transforms from being adaptive to driving innovation to support a Multi-Domain Operations Capable Force of 2028 and a MDO Ready Force of 2035. DEVCOM Soldier Center is constantly working to strengthen Soldiers’ performance to increase readiness and support for warfighters who are organized, trained, and equipped for prompt and sustainable ground combat.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) outreach and mentoring the next generation of scientists and engineers are also an important part of the mission of DEVCOM Soldier Center. The mentoring of students by Army scientists and engineers benefits the students and their communities. It also increases young people's awareness of potential Army job opportunities and helps provide the Army with potential new talent, helping to fuel innovative ideas that benefit the nation's warfighters and the nation as a whole.

DEVCOM Soldier Center is part of DEVCOM. Through collaboration across the command's core technical competencies, DEVCOM leads in the discovery, development and delivery of the technology-based capabilities required to make Soldiers more lethal to win our nation's wars and come home safely. DEVCOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Futures Command.