Crash test dummy

Two male Hybrid III crash test dummies inside a Subaru Outback.

A crash test dummy, or simply dummy, is a full-scale anthropomorphic test device (ATD) that simulates the dimensions, weight proportions and articulation of the human body during a traffic collision. Dummies are used by researchers, automobile and aircraft manufacturers to predict the injuries a person might sustain in a crash.^[1] Modern dummies are usually instrumented to record data such as velocity of impact, crushing force, bending, folding, or torque of the body, and deceleration rates during a collision.^[2]

Prior to the development of crash test dummies, automobile companies tested using human cadavers, animals and live volunteers.^[3] Cadavers have been used to modify different parts of a car, such as the seatbelt.^[4] This type of testing may provide more realistic test results than using a dummy,^[5] but it raises ethical dilemmas^[6] because human cadavers and animals are not able to consent to research studies. Animal testing is not prevalent today.^[7] Computational models of the human body are increasingly being used in the industry and research to complement the use of dummies as virtual tools.^[8]^[9]

There is a constant need for new testing because each new vehicle has a different design and as technology changes ATDs must be developed to accurately test safety and efficacy.

^ Nick Kurczewski (2011-01-20). "Smart Crash Test Dummies – The Latest Car Safety Tech – RoadandTrack.com". Road & Track. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
^ "How Crash Testing Works". 2 March 2001.
^ "The Humble History of the Crash Test Dummy". 4 August 2019.
^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Marquis, Erin (2018-10-31). "How Dead Bodies Save Lives Every Day on the Road". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
^ Cite error: The named reference LA Times was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ Cite error: The named reference new york was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ CORPORATION, TOYOTA MOTOR. "Toyota Updates its THUMS Virtual Crash Dummy Software | Corporate | Global Newsroom". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. Retrieved 2020-04-02.
^ "Home". GHBMC. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

[:1-1] Nick Kurczewski (2011-01-20). "Smart Crash Test Dummies – The Latest Car Safety Tech – RoadandTrack.com". Road & Track. Retrieved 2 June 2015.

[2] "How Crash Testing Works". 2 March 2001.

[3] "The Humble History of the Crash Test Dummy". 4 August 2019.

[:2-4] Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[5] Marquis, Erin (2018-10-31). "How Dead Bodies Save Lives Every Day on the Road". Jalopnik. Retrieved 2023-02-01.

[LA_Times-6] Cite error: The named reference LA Times was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[new_york-7] Cite error: The named reference new york was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[8] CORPORATION, TOYOTA MOTOR. "Toyota Updates its THUMS Virtual Crash Dummy Software | Corporate | Global Newsroom". Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

[9] "Home". GHBMC. Retrieved 2020-04-02.

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