Active human body models for virtual occupant response, step 3

Important results from the project

With a growing degree of automatization, there is an increasing need to address the effect on human muscle activation and kinematics in vehicle manoeuvres before crash. With the overall purpose of evaluating occupant protection through whole sequences of events, the aim of this project was to develop a methodology to enhance the Active Human Body Model with oblique and lateral muscle control, validate the model and use it in application areas for safety improvements. The project has resulted in an enhanced model fulfilling the aims.

Expected long term effects

The project has further enhanced an Active Human Body Model, previously developed by the project team capable of recreating humanlike kinematics in braking, by implementing a methodology for oblique and lateral muscle control; and integrated the muscle response prediction with injury prediction during impacts. This has resulted in a unique and internationally attractive knowledge and data, in addition to a world-leading human model (SAFER HBM) enabling occupant protection evaluation beyond what has previously been possible, contributing to reduction of injuries in traffic.

Approach and implementation

A combination of fundamental and applied research in addition to industrial application has resulted in enhancement of a unique tool for safety system developments. The fundamental research includes development of methodology for muscle control, resulting in eg. a PhD thesis. The applied research comprises a unique test series gathering human volunteer data during lane changing events, deriving at model validation data. Industrial application includes model implementation and application by the industrial partner for occupant protection evaluation.