The soldiers of the Bundeswehr are measured and digitized.

Since the beginning of January, i.e. before the start of the Ukraine war, a "customer-specific serial measurement" has been running, as reported by the commissioned service provider Avalution from Kaiserslautern.

The aim of the project is to record the body dimensions and body shapes of 2,500 members of the Bundeswehr with the help of special software via 3D scans, “so that the clothing and equipment fit better in the future.” The project is scheduled to run until 2024.

Bernd Freytag

Business correspondent Rhein-Neckar-Saar based in Mainz.

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With its special measurement technology and software, Avalution – the company goes back to a university spin-off – has so far mainly been used by car and aircraft manufacturers.

The scanned human data is projected into the digital world using software so that – for example when new cars or airplanes are being developed – it can be tested there in advance to see whether movement sequences, usability and comfort will later fit.

According to the company, something similar is also planned with the data obtained from the soldiers.

Digital test persons – avatars – are also to be calculated from them, “which are to be used in ergonomic analyzes of vehicle interiors in order to adapt the vehicles to the needs of the emergency services in the best possible way”.

According to a spokesman, the Bundeswehr understands the series of measurements as a test.

Among other things, it should be checked whether and which standardized clothing sizes could be used.

The army did not estimate the cost of the study.

It should fit "small as well as tall, strong as well as narrow people"

According to the company, 2,500 soldiers from all branches of the armed forces, i.e. navy, air force, army, armed forces base and medical service, are to be measured at six locations over the next few years "in order to build up a valid, comprehensive and up-to-date database for body dimensions and shapes". .

The aim is to develop "target group-specific, well-fitting clothing and personal equipment" and also to procure the required quantities.

"Because both small and large, strong and slim people must be able to work optimally with their equipment in these vehicles or be transported."

The project was initiated by the Military Research Institute for Materials and Operating Materials from Erding.

Project manager Carsten Zimmermann is quoted as saying that the 3D serial measurement is an essential element in the diverse activities within the scope of the digitization of clothing management in the Bundeswehr provide the clothing and personal equipment they need precisely, on time and in the right quantities”.

According to the company, the recorded body measurements must be kept up to date because statistically people grow an average of one centimeter per decade.

There is currently no up-to-date database on the body dimensions and body shapes of the soldiers.

The campaign began at the Naval Engineering School in Parow near Stralsund, where more than 340 German Navy soldiers have already been measured.

The next location at the end of April will be the Luftwaffe non-commissioned officer school in Appen near Hamburg.

The soldiers are recorded in four postures by a body scanner “in three dimensions and digitized without contact.” In addition to body measurements, socio-demographic information is also recorded in a digital questionnaire.

For example, data on family background, use within the Bundeswehr, physical activity and "wearing preferences" for clothing.

The entire process takes less than half an hour.

The measurements should last until the end of 2023.

The results would then be evaluated, processed in a database and handed over to the Bundeswehr for further use in 2024.