3D scanner takes the leg work out of finding new shoes

The scanner, which also incoporates a LCD screen, first measures feet and then searches for suitable shoes.The scanner, which took mifitto and Fraunhofer IIS scientists 18 months to complete, aims to help customers find suitable shoes more quickly and reduce e-commerce return rates.

Since May 2014, the scanner has been used as part of 'JOSEPHS – The Service Factory'. In three-month test cycles based on a specific theme, a wide variety of products and services are presented to customers for testing and evaluation. The first theme using the 3D scanner was launched under the slogan 'Creative with hand and foot.'

The scanner has also been used by German sports dealer Teamsport Philipp since April 2014. Football players in particular have special habits when buying boots; some lace up their boots very tightly while others can play better in loose-fitting boots. That, and the different sizes depending on the manufacturer, are good reasons for using the system at the point of sale. 

In future, the mifitto foot scanner will also be used for other product groups, such as running shoes.