Equality on the Road: Meet World’s First Female Car Crash Dummy
Women are no less than men. In today's world, we have female representation in every field. So, why the world of dummies should fall behind? In a recent set of events, the world's first female car crash test dummy has been developed by researchers at the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute in Linköping, led by Dr. Astrid Linder. Prior to this, crash test dummies were based on the average male body, which led to a significant gender bias in safety testing. Now, you may wonder a mannequin is a mannequin, why bring gender into it? Well, it isn't so. Men and women have different physical features; and the same goes for dummies, specifically designed for a man's body, which were in use for the last 51 years. According to a BBC report, physical variations can drastically alter how our bodies respond to a car crash's impact. Women in the US are three times more likely to suffer whiplash injuries if the car they are in gets struck from behind. The newly developed female dummy has been designed to accurately represent the female form and address this disparity in crash test data. She is 162cm tall and weighs 62kg — the same dimensions as an average woman today. She is also equipped with sensors that can measure the impact on her chest, pelvis, and other areas that are more vulnerable in women. This marks a major milestone in the field of automotive safety testing. By providing more accurate and comprehensive data, she will help car manufacturers develop safer vehicles for all occupants, regardless of gender. She will also improve the accuracy of safety ratings, making it easier for consumers to make informed decisions when purchasing a vehicle. Overall, the world's first female car crash test dummy is a major step forward in the field of automotive safety and has the potential to save countless lives.
