A SUAI student has developed a prototype of an intelligent shoe pre-selection system
If for most people choosing shoes is a relatively hassle—free and simple ritual, then for those whose feet have anatomical features, everything is more difficult. Flat feet, high arch, hyperpronation or wide foot — wearing standard models can cause not only discomfort, but also harm: incorrectly chosen shoes can lead to back pain, joint problems and chronic fatigue.
The solution to this problem is a prototype shoe‑fitting service developed by Alexander Kolotov, a graduate of the SUAI Institute of Information Technologies and Programming. The technology is simple and easy to use: instead of having to try on dozens of pairs of shoes, the user uploads a photo of their foot, and the system analyzes its parameters and provides a ranked list of suitable models.
Analyzing a photo taken with a smartphone does not require any special equipment or even a personal presence.
The user simply visits the service’s web page, uploads a photo of their foot (from below, against a white background), and specifies their gender, shoe category, and individual preferences.
Next, the system begins its work of selecting the perfect pair of shoes from the available database.
The service underwent testing in a real shoe store with the participation of 13 people. The participants went through two scenarios: a regular selection (self‑fitting) and a selection through the service. The results showed that the average selection time decreased from 18.3 to 11.6 minutes — by 37%. The comfort rating of the selected model increased from 7.5 to 8 points on a 10‑point scale, and satisfaction with the selection result increased from 6.7 to 8.2 points. The usability of the service was rated at 8.5 out of 10.
The greatest effect was achieved for people with anatomical features — those who usually spend the most time trying on clothes noted the clear advantage of the development.
