U.S. Introduces THOR-05F: New Female Crash Test Dummy Aims to Enhance Automotive Safety for Women
The U.S. Department of Transportation has unveiled THOR-05F, a new female crash test dummy with specific proportions, to address the significantly higher risk of injury women face in car accidents.
Overview
- The U.S. Department of Transportation has introduced THOR-05F, a new female crash test dummy designed with female-specific proportions to improve automotive safety.
- This advanced dummy is intended to potentially replace the current Hybrid III dummy in federal safety testing, reflecting a move towards more inclusive crash assessment.
- The development of THOR-05F was prompted by alarming statistics showing women are 73% more likely than men to sustain serious injuries in car crashes.
- Women face a higher risk of both injury and death in vehicle collisions, highlighting a critical need for more accurate female-specific safety testing.
- The new dummy aims to provide more precise data on how car crashes affect women, ultimately leading to safer vehicle designs and better protection for all occupants.
Report issue
Read both sides in 5 minutes each day
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by emphasizing the protracted, often insufficient progress in adopting female crash test dummies. They highlight decades of delays, bureaucratic hurdles, and the limited scope of current advancements, portraying the recent announcement as merely "one step" in a "winding road." This collective editorial choice underscores the ongoing struggle for equitable vehicle safety.
"The new female dummy endorsed by the department more accurately reflects differences between men and women, including the shape of the neck, collarbone, pelvis, and legs."
CBS News"After decades of planning, the use of the new dummies in actual federal safety tests is still a few years away."
NPRArticles (3)
FAQ
The THOR-05F was developed because women are 73% more likely than men to sustain serious injuries in car crashes, and existing crash test dummies did not accurately represent female anatomy or injury risks. This new dummy aims to provide more accurate data to improve vehicle safety for women.
The THOR-05F features enhanced biofidelity with female-specific proportions, improved instrumentation, and more advanced sensing technology compared to the Hybrid III. It also includes a more realistic female skeleton, flesh, and surface geometry, as well as upgraded sensors for better injury prediction.
The THOR-05F is expected to provide more precise data on how crashes affect women, leading to safer vehicle designs and better protection for all occupants. Its advanced sensors and biofidelity allow for more accurate injury prediction and assessment.
The THOR-05F is intended to potentially replace the current Hybrid III dummy in federal safety testing, reflecting a move towards more inclusive and accurate crash assessment for female occupants.
The THOR-05F dummy has a total weight of 47.3 kg (104.3 lb), overall dimensions of 1042.4 x 428.4 x 951.1 mm (41.0 x 16.9 x 37.4 in), and a seated height of 788.1 mm (31 in). It features a female-specific skeleton, flesh, and surface geometry.
History
- This story does not have any previous versions.