Transportation Secretary Unveils Design for Female Crash Test Dummy

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled the design details for what he says is a first-of-its-kind advanced female crash test dummy.

Known as the THOR-05F, the dummy, is critical to addressing the ongoing trend of higher injury rates for women than men in certain car crash scenarios, according to the USDOT.

Crash testing has used the Hybrid III dummy, but in technology makes it possible to more accurately account for the biological differences between male and female anatomy in crash testing, according to the department.

The THOR-05F is outfitted with more than 150 sensors, and is reportedly more durable, accurate, and lifelike, enabling it to collect three times more injury measurements than current dummies.

Its shape and response in a crash are based on female bodies, which will enable better assessment of brain, thorax, abdominal, pelvic and lower leg injury risk for small female occupants, according to the department.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sponsored industry development of the THOR-05F. NHTSA plans to publish five documents detailing specifications and technical information. Once a final rule is published, the THOR-05F will be considered for use in New Car Assessment Program and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards compliance testing.