QinetiQ's 3D shoe-sizer coming to US Stride Rite stores

While already popular in Clarks shoe stores across the UK, QinetiQ's 3D foot gauge is finally making its way across the pond. Unveiled in three Boston Stride Rite locations, these trials are slated to lead to a more widespread release across the chain's 450 American locations, giving shoe-wanting citizens "quick and accurate" measurements when sizing up. The contraption features six 3D digital cameras that scan the foot to provided "highly detailed length, girth, and shape data," essentially helping to ensure the best fit possible. Additionally, recorded 3D data can enable trend analysis, which would assist in designing future styles and improving stock control. The optical ranging technology used in the device was actually derived from work done on the "detection of unexploded ordnance" for the UK's Ministry of Defense. Although we're unsure how quickly these things will roll out nationwide, we're sure QinetiQ stands to make a hefty sum from its invention, as its current deal with Clarks yielded a whopping £4.6 million ($9.1 million) over in England.

[Via Gizmag]

[evo @ Dec 7th 2006 3:16PM]

While this is interesting, most shoe stores have long since stopped carrying shoes in different widths, and it seems that most designer shoe brands aren't even manufactured in more than one width. So what's the point?

I guess it could attract some tech-saavy customers drawn to the wow factor of the machines, but I don't think it's going to do much to help fit people's shoes.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Dec 7th 2006 4:26PM]

Newbalance still sells custom width shoes and there area few others but I cannot remember the names of those companies.

[al @ Dec 7th 2006 3:17PM]

i, for one, welcome our shoe sizing, 3d sensing, ordnance detecting overlords.

obligatory i know
seriously though, if this finds widespread acceptance it would be really nice, esp for ski boots and such where you cannot reasonably simulate the wearing experience by just walking around in them.

[Chris @ Dec 7th 2006 8:27PM]

It wouldn't be obligatory if idiots like you didn't feel like writing it in every damn story. This isn't even a robot. This is clearly your first try, maybe you'll do better next time.

[John M @ Dec 7th 2006 3:20PM]

i think they already have something like this in the King of Prussia mall in PA...

[chrismansley @ Dec 7th 2006 3:54PM]

what store?

[nimro @ Dec 7th 2006 3:23PM]

No, no, NO!
England ? UK!
(England + Scotland + Wales + Northern Ireland) = UK!

I would have expected better from you, oh mighty Engadget!

[nimro @ Dec 7th 2006 3:25PM]

If it doesn't display, the "?" should be a "does not equal" sign.

[lettcco @ Dec 7th 2006 3:30PM]

kinda useless--I don't think your shoe size changes everytime you go shopping...

[shmengie @ Dec 7th 2006 3:51PM]

quote: Additionally, recorded 3D data can enable trend analysis, which would assist in designing future styles and improving stock control.

what about my right to privacy? do they intend to just use my foot-size info without asking permission? they can have my foot-size info when they can pry my tubesocks from my cold, dead hands!!

[chenry @ Dec 7th 2006 3:55PM]

uhm... Weird? I mean, I know my shoe size. It's written inside my shoe.

[glacia00 @ Dec 7th 2006 4:06PM]

It's got to be better than using Xrays for fitting kids with shoes like they did in the 1930s - 1950s.

[sparrow @ Dec 7th 2006 4:40PM]

"Additionally, recorded 3D data can enable trend analysis, which would assist in designing future styles and improving stock control."

So, in the future, if I go into local shoe stores several times a week and measure my feet on said gauge, the stores might start actually stocking some narrow shoes? That might be worth it.

[Puddles @ Dec 7th 2006 6:07PM]

This is a great idea. I have a hard time finding shoes that fit.

[Pedro @ Dec 7th 2006 7:22PM]

Yeah, in England these things are used for sizing kids' feet.

[morcheeba @ Dec 7th 2006 9:22PM]

glacia - my thoughts exactly. More info on the shoe-fitting fluoroscope: http://www.orau.org/ptp/collection/shoefittingfluor/shoe.htm

[Mike @ Dec 8th 2006 9:41AM]

The replacement for the xray shoe fitting machine?

http://www.smith-zimmermann.dsu.edu/Xray%20Shoe%20fitting%20machine.jpg