US Unveils THOR-05F — First U.S. Crash-Test Dummy Modeled on Female Anatomy

The US Department of Transportation has introduced the THOR-05F, the first crash-test dummy in the United States explicitly modeled on female anatomy. Officials say the new dummy is intended to address long-standing safety gaps in vehicle testing and improve protection for female occupants.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy unveiled the THOR-05F, describing it as an advanced, more life-like crash-test dummy with upgraded technical specifications. The department said the dummy will be incorporated into federal vehicle crash testing after a final rule is issued.

Although men account for the majority of annual crash victims by number, research shows women are more likely to suffer severe injury or die in crashes of comparable severity. Studies indicate women are about 73% more likely than men to sustain serious injuries in comparable collisions and face a higher risk of specific traumas, including pelvic and liver injuries.

For decades the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has relied on the Hybrid III—a dummy based on a 5 ft 9 in, 171 lb male—used in five-star crash tests. The THOR-05F represents a significant change from that standard.

What’s different about the THOR-05F?

Compared with the Hybrid III, the THOR-05F is described as more durable, accurate and lifelike. It contains more than 150 sensors and can capture roughly three times as many injury measurements as current dummies. Key capabilities include:

• Assessment of skull fracture, brain injury and facial fractures (the Hybrid III primarily assesses skull fracture).
• Greater neck mobility — forward/backward, lateral (side-to-side) movement and twisting — versus the Hybrid III's limited forward/back motion.
• A more realistic, flexible spine that can simulate slouched or erect postures and measure forces in the lower spine.
• Abdominal and pelvis sensors to measure pressure and assess internal-organ risk, pelvis and hip forces from seatbelts and vehicle contact.
• Upper- and lower-arm sensors to record forces previously unmeasured by the Hybrid III.

These enhancements are intended to improve evaluation of brain, thorax, abdominal, pelvic and lower-leg injury risk for smaller female occupants and better inform vehicle safety design and regulations.

“Its shape and response in a crash are based on female bodies, which will ultimately enable better assessment of brain, thorax, abdominal, pelvic and lower leg injury risk for small female occupants,” the Department of Transportation said in a statement.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said: “After years of delays, our team has worked hard over the last eight months to finalize the details for this new, state-of-the-art female crash test dummy. This department will continue to put the safety of American families — including women — first.”

Officials including NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison and senators who have supported the She Drives Act praised the rollout as a long-overdue step toward more inclusive safety testing. The unveiling follows similar efforts in countries such as Australia and Sweden that have adopted female-specific crash dummies.

As the THOR-05F moves toward formal adoption, manufacturers, regulators and safety advocates will be watching how the new data influence vehicle design, restraint systems and federal safety standards.