TU Delft's 3D Scan Project Aims to Enhance Child Safety
Delft, Monday, 1 July 2024.
TU Delft is scanning 1,800 children using 3D technology to improve the safety of products like playground equipment and bike helmets. This European project, involving Spanish counterparts, seeks to create more inclusive safety standards for children of various sizes.
Understanding the Project’s Scope
The project, spearheaded by TU Delft, forms part of a larger European initiative funded by the European Commission and the European Committee for Standardization. It involves scanning and measuring 1,800 children in the Netherlands and an additional 1,500 children in Spain. The goal is to gather comprehensive anthropometric data to enhance the design and safety of various children’s products, including playground equipment, bike helmets, and life jackets.
The Role of 3D Scanning Technology
The 3D scanning technology used in this project allows for precise and detailed measurements of children’s bodies. In practice, children like 11-year-old Nathan from The Hague are scanned from head to toe. Special scankleding (scan clothing) and green stickers placed at the ends of their bones ensure accurate data capture during the process. This data is crucial for identifying the variations in children’s body dimensions, which can significantly impact the safety and ergonomics of products designed for them.
Benefits of Accurate Anthropometric Data
One of the primary benefits of this project is the creation of safer and more reliable products for children. For instance, a poorly fitting bike helmet can lead to severe head injuries during a fall. By using precise measurements from the scans, manufacturers can design helmets that better fit a wider range of children’s head sizes, enhancing overall safety. Similarly, playground equipment designed with accurate anthropometric data can prevent accidents and injuries, ensuring a safer play environment.
Involvement and Incentives
The project also encourages participation from various age groups, spanning from infants as young as three months to teenagers up to 15 years old. Schools are invited to bring students to the scanning site, where they receive educational tours and insights into the project’s importance. Additionally, children aged 11 to 15 can visit the site with friends. To incentivize participation, each child scanned receives a gift card worth EUR 20. This approach not only facilitates data collection but also raises awareness about the importance of product safety.
Looking Ahead
As the project progresses, the data collected will be instrumental in setting new safety standards across Europe. The collaboration with Spanish counterparts highlights the diversity in children’s body sizes across different regions. By addressing these variations, the project aims to create inclusive safety standards that cater to all children, regardless of their size. This initiative underscores the commitment of TU Delft and its partners to leverage advanced technology for societal benefit, ensuring that children’s safety remains a top priority.