All too often we report on new car launches and new model launches, along with these we mention their crash test safety ratings. But, we never mention the people who go through hell and back to crash test these new cars for our safety. Crash test dummies or THUMS (short for Total Human Model for Safety) have been used for years to crash test cars.
This time we are going to talk about some new THUM models that have been added to Toyota’s crash test dummies line up. Toyota has grown its THUM family by adding a small female (153cm tall) and a large male (189cm tall). The new dummies will join the current 179cm tall average build male. All three models come in vehicle occupant and pedestrian types, six dummies in all.
These new dummies will help Toyota to take into account different body sizes when analysing internal injuries that occur in car accidents. The software upgrade comes as a result of cooperation with Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc., universities and other external research institutes, who make detailed measurements of the human body's internal structure using a high precision computed tomography (CT) scanner.
The new models are very detailed and precise; they include locations of organs and how they interconnect, and allowing Toyota to develop a virtual human model which contains around 14 times more information than traditional crash tests dummies.
Toyota will be using the results of the THUMS tests to help develop safer vehicles for the future. There are plans by Toyota to add an elderly person and a child model, increasing the diverse range of testing possibilities.
So when you’re buying your next new Toyota Avensis Newcastle, spare a thought for the poor crash test dummy that was used to ensure the car is safe for you and your family.
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