Editing Crash test dummy (section)

{{short description|Full-scale anthropomorphic test devices that simulate human bodies in vehicle crash testing}}
{{for-multi|the band|Crash Test Dummies|the series of toys|The Incredible Crash Dummies}}
[[File:CEP1710-58.jpg|thumb|Two male Hybrid III crash test dummies inside a [[Subaru Outback]].]]

A '''crash test dummy''', or simply '''dummy''', is a full-scale [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] test device (ATD) that simulates the dimensions, weight proportions and articulation of the [[human body]] during a [[traffic collision]]. Dummies are used by researchers, [[automobile]] and [[aircraft]] manufacturers to predict the injuries a person might sustain in a crash.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/special-reports/smarter-crash-test-dummies|title=Smart Crash Test Dummies – The Latest Car Safety Tech – RoadandTrack.com|author=Nick Kurczewski|work=Road & Track|access-date=2 June 2015|date=2011-01-20}}</ref> Modern dummies are usually instrumented to record [[data]] such as [[velocity]] of impact, crushing [[force]], bending, folding, or [[torque]] of the body, and [[deceleration]] rates during a collision.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/crash-test.htm | title=How Crash Testing Works | date=2 March 2001 }}</ref>

Prior to the development of crash test dummies, automobile companies tested using human [[Cadaver|cadavers]], animals and live volunteers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.motorbiscuit.com/the-humble-history-of-the-crash-test-dummy/ | title=The Humble History of the Crash Test Dummy | date=4 August 2019 }}</ref> Cadavers have been used to modify different parts of a car, such as the seatbelt.<ref name=":2" /> This type of testing may provide more realistic test results than using a dummy,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marquis |first=Erin |date=2018-10-31 |title=How Dead Bodies Save Lives Every Day on the Road |url=https://jalopnik.com/how-dead-bodies-save-lives-every-day-on-the-road-1830099885 |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=[[Jalopnik]] |language=en}}</ref> but it raises ethical dilemmas<ref name="LA Times" /> because human cadavers and animals are not able to consent to research studies. Animal testing is not prevalent today.<ref name="new york" /> [[Computational mechanics|Computational models]] of the human body are increasingly being used in the industry and research to complement the use of dummies as virtual tools.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/26497281.html|title=Toyota Updates its THUMS Virtual Crash Dummy Software {{!}} Corporate {{!}} Global Newsroom|last=CORPORATION|first=TOYOTA MOTOR|website=Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website|language=en|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ghbmc.com/|title=Home|website=GHBMC|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-02}}</ref>

There is a constant need for new testing because each new vehicle has a different design, and as technology changes ATDs must be developed to accurately test safety and efficacy.