System uses lasers to measure bicycle clothing

A new system uses laser technology to create bicycle racing clothing that fits perfectly.

The global market for sports and fitness clothing is growing fast and estimated to reach US$231.7 billion by 2024. Increasingly, customisation is the name of the game. We have already seen this with smart clothing, wearables, and even trainers that help users run better. Soon, it will also be possible to have fitness clothing made to measure. Australian Nathaniel Peek is an ardent competition cyclist with experience in design and technology. He has now combined these interests into Spin Cycle Clothing, which uses a laser scanning system to tailor each piece of clothing to the exact measurements of the rider.

To improve fit, Peek developed a software interface that works with a medical scanning device. Customers stand on a rotating platform while a laser scans their body. The scan produces a 3D image, which then goes on to virtually tailor the clothing. Peek’s software can also adjust the fit to take into account the properties of different fabrics. The system then converts the measurements into CAD pattern files based on an international tailoring standard and sends them electronically to a manufacturer for sewing. The entire process takes just a few minutes.

Peek’s system allows the material and design to be tailored for different uses and conditions. He suggests that eventually, the system could be helpful in tailoring other types of clothing, such as suits and wedding dresses.