Image Credit: Photo courtesy of Humanetics.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has introduced the THOR-05F, the first crash test dummy designed specifically to reflect female anatomy. This announcement, made on November 20, represents a pivotal advancement in addressing gender disparities in vehicle safety testing.
The new dummy aims to enhance safety protocols, as studies indicate that women are 73% more likely than men to sustain serious injuries in car accidents of similar severity. Despite men accounting for a majority of traffic fatalities each year, the historical reliance on the Hybrid III dummy—a male model established in 1978—has left significant gaps in vehicle safety assessments for female drivers.
The THOR-05F features over 150 sensors, significantly increasing the data collected during crash tests. This advanced design allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of various injuries, including those to the skull, brain, and pelvis. Unlike its rigid predecessor, the THOR-05F has a flexible spine, enabling it to simulate a broader range of motions and postures during crashes. Additionally, sensors in the abdominal and pelvic regions help assess risks specific to female anatomy, addressing vulnerabilities that have previously been overlooked.
This development aligns the U.S. with other countries, such as Sweden and Australia, that have already adopted similar gender-specific crash testing models. As the THOR-05F is set to be integrated into federal crash testing protocols, it reflects a growing recognition of the diverse safety needs of all drivers.
The introduction of the THOR-05F is seen as a critical step toward improving vehicle safety standards and could potentially save thousands of lives by ensuring that safety assessments are more inclusive and representative of the entire driving population.
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