Analysis and benchmarking of innovative AI-driven methods and their applicability for evaluating the ergonomic and sensory comfort of clothing
The comfort of clothing is determined by both the fit and the interaction between thematerial and the body. A proper fit supports freedom of movement, prevents pressure points, and contributes to ergonomic and sensory comfort. To accurately represent body shapes, hardware-based 3D body scanners (such as Symcad) are traditionally used; these are highly accurate but expensive, not very scalable, and have limited accessibility. Recent AI and computer vision applications, such as Size Stream, Esenca Sizing, IBV 3D Mobile, 3DLook, and Astrivis, offer accessible and affordable alternatives. Although these systems are increasingly used in e-commerce and virtual fit analysis, there is a lack of independent validation of their accuracy, reproducibility, and geometric reliability for professional design and simulation processes.
Furthermore, wear comfort is not determined solely by fit. Both ergonomic factors (pressure distribution, freedom of movement, material–body interaction) and sensory aspects play an important role. Traditional evaluation methods, such as FTT measurements and semi-expert panels, provide valuable data but remain partly subjective. Innovative tools for facial expression analysis (e.g., FaceReader) may be able to objectively measure reactions to tactile properties, but their applicability within clothing research has not yet been sufficiently investigated.
The aim of this project is to systematically evaluate and benchmark AI-based body scanning systems against traditional 3D scanners. It examines their accuracy, reliability, and suitability for digital clothing development. In addition, the project investigates the extent to which facial expression analysis can be used to objectively assess sensory comfort. The results will provide objective benchmarks and guidelines, support informed technological choices, and contribute to more substantiated (digital) fit and comfort evaluations within the apparel industry.
