Autoliv Adds Elderly Female to Crash Test Dummy Family
Autoliv Inc. is evaluating a new crash test dummy that replicates the body of an elderly woman to help improve vehicle safety for an aging and diverse global population.
Autoliv Inc. is evaluating a new crash test dummy that replicates the body of an elderly woman to help improve vehicle safety for an aging and diverse global population.
The dummy, developed by Humanetics Innovative Solutions Inc., represents a 70-year-old female, who is 5-ft-3-inches tall and weighs 160 lbs. Autoliv notes that most crash tests currently are conducted with male-based dummies and restraint systems typically are designed to optimize performance for an average 45-year-old man. But the company says demographic trends indicate that more than 20% of all drivers will be older than 65 by 2030.
Autoliv and Humanetics are testing the elderly female dummy in conjunction with Europe’s H2020 SENIORS project. Other participating companies include BASt, Fiat Chrysler and Ford.
As the human body ages, bones lose density and connective tissue stiffens. Autoliv notes that this, along with other factors associated with aging, can result in an anthropometry that has a different interaction with the seatbelt and frontal airbag.
In recent years, carmakers also have begun using crash test dummies that represent overweight people, children and small women.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Choosing the Right Fasteners for Automotive
PennEngineering makes hundreds of different fasteners for the automotive industry with standard and custom products as well as automated assembly solutions. Discover how they’re used and how to select the right one. (Sponsored Content)
-
Cobots: 14 Things You Need to Know
What jobs do cobots do well? How is a cobot programmed? What’s the ROI? We asked these questions and more to four of the leading suppliers of cobots.
-
Robotic Exoskeleton Amplifies Human Strength
The Sarcos Guardian XO Max full-body, all-electric exoskeleton features strength amplification of up to 20 to 1, making 200 pounds—the suit’s upper limit—feel like 10 pounds for the user.