The iPhone app that can measure breasts and build custom bras

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A Kickstarter is coming to fund an app that will allow people to measure their own breasts with their phone to build a custom bra.

The Digital Bra was founded by Judy van Niekirk after she realised the health implications of poorly fitting bras.

"I started with my own issue, struggling to find a bra without underwire. When I realise wires attract EMS I decided not to wear underwires anymore. Then I realised that it’s a massive problem for women of trying to find attractive bras that fit," Van Niekirk said.

The Digital Bra uses the iPhone camera like a 3D scanner, Van Niekirk said. Users get a friend to walk around them so that the camera can scan 120 measurements, which are converted into fabric patterns using algorithms. Van Niekirk said that no image is captured on the phone itself or stored on the company's database.

Van Niekirk worked with Autodesk’s Fusion design team and free software to develop the prototype and proof of concept for the business. She hopes to support women-only businesses in Lithuania by employing them to make the bras.

At the moment, the bra can only be ordered via the Kickstarter, which launches later this month. By contributing to the campaign, customers will get a discount off the £50-£60 ordering price. Van Niekirk said she hope the Kickstarter campaign will also help her crowdsource data and raise money to start using robots to produce the bras, which will lower the price of the product.

“I’ve been able to crowdsource everything, from scanning technology to mobile technology. It’s all been done through crowdsourcing. It’s incredible,” Van Niekirk said.