The article explores the manufacturing and use of crash test dummies at Humanetics, highlighting their human-like design, the detailed process of creating their bones and flesh, and their crucial role in vehicle safety testing to improve car crash safety and data collection.
Experts are advocating for the development and implementation of modern female crash test dummies to improve safety for women in car accidents, as women are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in crashes compared to men. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been slow to adopt this new technology, but is working with Humanetics to incorporate the THOR-5F female dummy into regulations by September 2024. The advanced dummies, designed to better predict and prevent injuries women sustain in car crashes, have not yet been approved, and it will take years for automakers to adjust to the new rules even if they are approved.