Abstract
Establishing a large-scale anthropometric database is very important and valuable. Employing 3D whole body scanning system to measure can help researchers to measure large sample during short time. To enhance identification ability of landmarks in digital model and to evaluate the measurement error for the scanning system are two major concerns. This study aims to compare the anthropometric data to realize the ethnic difference and evaluate the measurement error of the whole body scanning system. Thirty-three dimensions were selected from the anthropometric databases of four East Asian countries for comparison. The data were expressed as ratios of stature. The results show that there are significant ethnic difference among these countries in mean dimensions and body proportions. The important dimension comparison shows that body shape of Taiwanese belongs to wide shoulder and narrow hip with large hands and long legs. Chinese tends to have narrower body with moderate limbs. Japanese body shape is wider with shorter limbs. Korean body shape is moderate, but his upper limbs are longer. For the analysis of measurement error, a set of dimension-certified measurement equipment was introduced and its true dimensions were obtained. The result indicates the measurement errors are statistically significant. Thus, the estimation and calibration models of height, breadth and depth measurement between measured values and true dimensions were established respectively and the error envelopes were derived. A verification experiment was conducted to determine the validity of these models. Based on the models, an optimal measurement range of 1262 mm × 798 mm × 1650 mm (B×D×H) that symmetrizes to origin is suggested. The accuracy of this scanning system needs to be improved by using the calibration models to obtain more accurate anthropometric data.