Shoe fits for Qinetiq

has awarded a £4.6 million contract to 

for 3D foot gauges which Clarks will install in a number of its leading stores.

The foot gauge, which uses six 3D camera systems, will be rolled out into 50 Clarks stores this month to meet the “Back To School” season. The company then intends to install foot gauges in all of its UK and Ireland shops during the next eighteen months.

The 3D foot gauge, already successfully trialled in two Clarks stores, will be used to measure children’s feet quickly and accurately, providing highly detailed length, girth and shape data and helping to ensure the best fit possible. The recorded 3D data will also enable trend analysis, assisting future footwear design and improving stock control and the efficiency of in-store service.

The foot gauge is based on 3D optical ranging technology developed and patented by Qinetiq. The origins of the technology can be traced back to work done for the Ministry of Defence on the detection of unexploded ordnance. The foot gauge captures data very rapidly and both feet can be scanned simultaneously, allowing store staff to decide quickly on best fit.