Female Crash Test Dummies Get Long-Awaited Upgrade

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced its endorsement of a new crash test dummy design that more closely resembles a female body, a move welcomed by advocates who have long fought for better female representation in vehicle safety. The THOR-5F female crash test dummy, designed by Humanetics, is the result of years of research and development. However, despite the progress made, the dummy is not yet ready for widespread use. According to Kate Hippler, a researcher at Humanetics, the company has been working on the THOR-5F dummy for several years. "We've been working on this project for a long time, and it's exciting to see it finally get the green light," Hippler said. "However, we still have a lot of work to do before it's ready for use in vehicle safety testing." The current crash test dummies used in the U.S. are based on a male body, which has been criticized for not accurately representing the diverse range of body types and sizes found in the female population. Advocates argue that this lack of representation can lead to inadequate safety testing and potentially put women at greater risk of injury in the event of a crash. The design of the THOR-5F dummy is intended to better reflect the physical characteristics of women, including a smaller stature and a more curved body shape. However, the dummy still requires further testing and validation before it can be used in vehicle safety testing. The endorsement of the THOR-5F dummy by the U.S. Department of Transportation is seen as a significant step forward in the fight for better female representation in vehicle safety. However, it is just one part of a larger effort to improve safety testing and reduce the risk of injury for all road users. The development of the THOR-5F dummy is part of a broader trend towards greater diversity and inclusion in vehicle safety testing. Other companies, such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, are also working on developing more representative crash test dummies. The THOR-5F dummy is not yet ready for widespread use, but it is expected to undergo further testing and validation in the coming months. The U.S. Department of Transportation has committed to working with Humanetics and other stakeholders to ensure that the dummy is properly tested and validated before it is used in vehicle safety testing. In a statement, the U.S. Department of Transportation said that it is committed to improving vehicle safety and reducing the risk of injury for all road users. "We are excited to see the progress being made in the development of more representative crash test dummies," the statement said. "We look forward to continuing to work with Humanetics and other stakeholders to ensure that the THOR-5F dummy is properly tested and validated before it is used in vehicle safety testing."