The crash test dummy has become the gold standard for safety testing of automobiles for organizations like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and other agencies throughout the world. These agencies continually update the requirements for driver and passenger protection. These updates require automakers to invest significant resources to ensure that their vehicles pass muster and that the test dummies used in their cars realistically reflect what happens during a crash.
“Realistic” means that crash test dummies should reflect the full variety of human body types. Going beyond the first male-only dummies, the family has been expanded to include female, child, infant and, most recently, elderly bodies. The latter have turned out to be a unique challenge for Humanetics Innovative Solutions Inc., the global leader in the design and manufacturing of crash dummies for 65 years.