Ford Joins Automotive Consortium to Accelerate Its Research Work Using Virtual Human Crash Test Dummies

DEARBORN, April 16, 2007 – Ford Motor Company will bring its 14 years of research and development expertise using computer human models to a consortium of automakers and suppliers as a way to improve restraint systems for all vehicles of the future.

Ford is one of nine automakers and two suppliers that will consolidate their pre-competitive research and development activities in human body modeling into a single global effort to advance crash safety technology. The computer models, which represent human beings in minute detail, could help scientists determine and better understand injuries that are likely to result from a vehicle crash. Ford is the only automaker whose full human body model includes highly detailed internal organs, especially the human brain model.

Ford began building the human body model in 1993, creating the regions of the body such as the head, neck, ribcage, abdomen, thoracic and lumbar spine, internal organs of the chest and abdomen, pelvis, and the upper and lower extremities. These regions were brought together in 2004 to create the full body model.

The human body model represents an average adult male and is constructed using technologies like data gathered from MRI scans and topographies from human body anatomical texts. Validation of the computer model is done through cadaver and volunteer human testing.

The model includes a highly detailed spine with all the vertebrae segments and cartilage attached, and a comprehensive brain model that has been used to determine the extent of injuries that can occur during a crash.

Dr. Saeed Barbat, manager, Passive Safety Research and Advanced Engineering, Ford Motor Company says that in the future, virtually-pressurized "blood vessels" may be developed to help determine how internal organs react during specific types of crashes.

“The Human Body Model will help reduce physical testing on component and full-scale levels during vehicle development," Barbat said. “It will also be used to develop more sophisticated instrumentation that could lead to more human-like crash dummies.”

The data gathered using both actual and virtual crash test dummies will help Ford and members of the consortium develop and bring to market innovative safety technologies faster than ever and in advance of possible future government regulations.

In addition to Ford, members of the consortium include: DaimlerChrysler AG., General Motors Corp., Honda Motor Co., Hyundai Motor Co., Nissan Motor Corp., PSA Peugeot-Citroën, Renault s.a.s., Takata Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and TRW Inc. These members formed the Global Human Body Models Consortium LLC in April 2006 following three years of organizing and planning.

The consortium has sent requests for proposals to some 40 research and university groups worldwide. The consortium plans to create five centers of expertise for body region models, such as the head and neck, and two centers for full body model integration.

Phase One proposals are due by June and call for having the first six human body models – large, medium and small males and females – developed by March 2011 at an estimated cost of up to $18 million. Additional funding and sponsorship is being sought from outside sources, including the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

After the first six virtual humans are created, the consortium envisions a second phase consisting of adult models of any age, body shape and size followed by a third phase focused on developing child models.

Consolidating all pre-competitive R&D activities in human body modeling into a single global effort would save money in model development costs; speed results through the elimination of duplicate work; and commonize vehicle development tools for enhanced crash safety.

To mimic or replicate specific crash-induced injuries at the tissue level in math data will require more basic research and it will have to take the advantage of the rapid expansion in computing power.

The new models will be very detailed and might have a total number of finite elements, 10 to 30 times more than existing commercially available human body models.

The use of finite element models to simulate vehicle crash tests has a strong potential to improve vehicle safety and to save time and money in hardware prototyping and testing. But the differences between the human body and the crash test dummy limit engineers to assessing injury potential with indirect gross injury measurements, such as chest deceleration and deformation.

The virtual humans initially will be used in automotive safety testing but could be used in other ways.


Source: Ford Motor Company

AAA, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Driver David Ragan Team Up for Teen Driver Safety

• 21-year-old Rookie Racer David Ragan Shares Safe Driving Message with Teens Nationwide
• Car crashes are a leading cause of death among 15-20 year-olds, and one of NASCAR’s youngest stars is working with AAA to combat the problem.

David Ragan, 21, driver of the No. 6 AAA Ford Fusion in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, is taking time this season to speak with young people across the nation about the importance of safe driving and vehicle maintenance inspections. Ragan finished fifth in this year’s Daytona 500 race on Feb. 18.

Ragan has already made stops at high schools in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Las Vegas, to speak with students, demonstrate safe driving techniques and discuss why maintenance inspections are especially important for the vehicles they are most likely to drive. Additional events are being planned throughout the year as Ragan travels the nation on the racing circuit.

Ragan began his racing career in the Bandolero Series at the age of 11, and quickly advanced through the ranks driving Legends Cars at age 13, Late Model Stock Cars at age 16 and the ARCA RE/MAX Series at age 18. He joined Roush Fenway Racing in 2006, and at 20 years old was named the driver of the team’s legendary No. 6 car for 2007.

“I know the challenges young drivers face. There are a lot of temptations and distractions that can cause inexperienced drivers to loose focus. Managing the driving environment and anticipating what can happen on the road is as important for teen drivers as it is for professional race car drivers,” Ragan said.

“Part of the process is being mentally prepared to drive, buckling up and thinking about the conditions under which you will be driving. It also has to do with not allowing your attention to wander from the road, anticipate turns, change lanes or know when to slow down or speed up. AAA has training materials that can help teens master these skills and become safer drivers at AAA.com,” he said,

Ragan also is highlighting the importance of safety inspections and maintenance on the vehicles teens drive. “In racing, we rely on trained professionals to prepare and maintain our vehicles. Teens also need to have their vehicles inspected and maintained by qualified technicians. Many young people start by driving older cars and trucks with a lot of miles on them. They need to have brakes, steering components and suspensions checked. Tires, lights, fluid lines and other items that can wear out need attention too. That’s something AAA’s Approved Auto Repair program can help them with.”

“By driving for AAA and its 50 million members this year - and taking the opportunities they are providing to speak with teen drivers - I’m hoping I can shorten the learning curve and improve the margin of safety for people not much younger than myself.”

Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration illustrates the need for Ragan’s positive message:

* National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that, on average, more than 300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year, nearly 8,000 are involved in fatal crashes and more than 3,500 are killed.
* NHTSA research also shows that teen drivers are involved in more than five times as many fatal crashes as adults. Young drivers are more likely to speed, run red lights, make illegal turns, and die in an SUV rollover.

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.

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Source: AAA