Using your iPhone for 3D body scans is now a thing

Australian health tech company launches first-of-its-kind 3D body scanning technology for iPhones

mPort’s new feature means Aussies can now measure and track their fitness progress using their smartphone  

Leading Australian health tech company, mPort, is revolutionising the way we navigate our health and fitness journeys with the introduction of ‘Bodymapp’; the Australia-first accurate 3D body scanning feature available for iPhone users. 

This unique technology development gives iPhone users the ability to accurately capture their body measurements from the comfort of their own homes, using the smartphone’s depth sensors. Thousands of data points across the body are mapped to create a 3D avatar which captures body shape, measurements, body fat, density, and other relevant health indexes. 

The scans deliver accurate, personalised health metrics that are far superior to information provided by weighing scales or a simple BMI calculation. And with waist circumference considered a better indicator of early death than BMI (University of Sydney study 2017), health professionals believe Australians need to be looking at their health and fitness more holistically. 

mPort has been making 3D body mapping accessible for Australians in select locations since 2015, but now, users can visualise their fitness progress using their iPhones anytime, anywhere. 

“This has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to be able to harness the technology of mobile depth sensors to bring accurate health measurements and metrics to people whenever and wherever they want to scan,” said Dipra Ray, CEO of mPort. 

“Gone are the days where you had to line up at the gym at a specific time to do a scan, with tech that doesn’t provide you with an accurate or holistic view of your health and fitness. With mPort, users just need to download the app, sign up for free and follow the instructions to get scanned and view their very own 3D avatar all in the comfort of their own home. 

“It’s an excellent way of keeping track of your progress. There’s something very fulfilling about seeing your own avatar change over time thanks to the health changes you make in your life.” 

The technology also does not take any photographs of users, guaranteeing privacy. 

“The depth sensors only use infrared technology. We don’t use the RGB camera module in the phone, so no images are captured - that’s why you see a heatmap on the screen during the scan. 

“The experience is very private and non-invasive, and from our end, we only see a black and white silhouette of users,” said Ray. 

Dr Brendan Ryan, surgeon at the Sydney Bariatric Clinic says technology that provides data of a person’s overall body fat and muscle mass percentage is much more indicative of health problems than traditional forms of weight measurements. 

“Australia has some of the highest levels of obesity in the world, and one area we can address this issue is assessing body fat percentage, which is a major indicator of health and of disease” said Dr Ryan.

“mPort is doing an excellent job at making health and fitness assessments easily accessible through its iPhone scanning feature.” 

Professor Steven Boyages, Clinical Professor at the University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School says obesity is now one of the leading causes of premature death, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and blindness, but access to data mined from technology like Bodymapp could improve this situation. 

"Everyday I see the impact of obesity and diabetes on peoples' lives,” said Professor Boyages. 

"Tools that allow individuals to understand their risk from obesity and provide feedback to monitor and to take control are essential. I am excited to hear of developments in mPort's phone scanning technology that provides such solutions. I know my patients will embrace technologies that improve one's ability to lose weight." 

Access to this amount of data allows mPort users to optimise their health and fitness regimes, and stay motivated as they watch their 3D avatar transform over time on the mPort app. The technology is available for consumers with iPhone 10 and above and is free to try for anyone who wants to smash their fitness goals and work on their health. 

Over the next six months, mPort is focused on getting more Australians to take control of their health and fitness goals with body scans. The company will also partner with a number of leading health and fitness