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Toyota’s Total Human Model for Safety Version 7 released

The new version notches up an even higher accuracy and takes into account automated driving
28/02/2023
Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) was already capable of evaluating safety for all – man, woman and child – thanks to its detailed representation of human bones, organs and muscles. In 2021 it became the world’s first human body model with such high level of capabilities that is shared freely. 
 

What changed in the new THUMS

The improved human models have increased accuracy in the geometry and properties of some key body parts  – pelvis, abdominal organs, spine discs, cortical bones, vertebrae and ribs. You can also sit the occupant in reclined posture, or reproduce how the human changes posture and braces muscles when manoeuvring the car in an emergency situation, or when the car’s safety systems such as emergency braking or steering control kick in. The THUMS’ new capabilities level up further the precision of crash simulations, which is key to developing safety systems that can protect vehicle occupants even better.

Introducing automated driving into occupant protection

The capability to control sitting posture between standard and reclined was introduced as car manufacturers are working to bring ADAS systems closer to automated driving. In SAE Level 3, when all required conditions are met the car does most of driving tasks and the driver can sit back unless asked to intervene. When the occupant is in reclined posture, the body interacts differently with the seat and restraint systems. Even when the occupant is sitting up, change of posture can lead to significantly different kinematics in the event of a crash, which can cause different types of injury.
SAE Level 3 Opens in new window
“Special attention must be paid to ensure that the pelvis remains in the seat at the time of a crash. This is crucial to avoiding the ‘submarine effect’ - the occupant sliding out from under the lap belt – which can result in abdominal injuries. Good pelvis retention helps to limit compression on the spine, and therefore, to prevent spinal injuries.”
Sabine Compigne, Technical Manager, R&D Safety Research

The highly accurate THUMS human models come in male and female versions so that you can see the difference in the way man and woman get injured in a car crash. This allows us to ensure safety for everyone.

 

“THUMS’ new capabilities can be useful for safety simulation of trains and aircrafts as well as some non-automotive areas. In order to share our know-how across society, we make THUMS available free of charge since 2021.”
Tjark Kreuzinger, Senior Manager, R&D Safety Research
Download Total Human Model for Safety (THUMS) for free Opens in new window

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