Robots help upgrade crash-testing for cars

The role of the automotive industry in supporting the use of emerging technologies by regulators can improve the quality of vehicles across the world

Crash test dummies are no longer dumb. Recent efforts have brought high-tech solutions to improve the interpretation and testing parameters for vehicles. 

UK-based AB Dynamics partnered with car-racing company NASCAR to conduct a driverless, on-track crash test of its Next Gen race car using driving robots earlier this year. The driving robots used were for steering, for pedals and the Gearshift Robot. The off-the-shelf products required minimal modification to fit in the vehicle.

Importantly, the robots are unobtrusive, and so did not interfere with the positioning or results from the crash test dummy, according to the company. The test requirement was to