Toyota and the Global Institute announce four-year project

Toyota and the Global Institute for Motor Sport Safety have announced the launch of a four-year research project. At the core of the new joint-venture is Toyota’s virtual modeling technology developed to improve the safety of its road cars. For the first time, the Toyota Human Model for Safety (THUMS) is set to be further deployed in the world of international motorsport. The research work will look into collisions involving both open-cockpit cars and models used in rallying, and may also extend to a review of seat structures and the positioning of seatbelts. The institute plans to use the project findings when considering measures that could lead to the updating of sporting regulations, and other step to enhance the safety of vehicles used in motorsport. The crash test dummies commonly used in vehicle collision testing do not allow for easy and detailed analysis of the impact of a crash to the brain, internal organs and other parts of the body. As a result, Toyota and the Toyota Central R&D Labs have been working together since 2000 to develop THUMS, a system which allows for computer simulation and analysis of actual conditions during an impact and how injuries – including damage to internal organs – are caused. Responding to a request from the FIA and NASCAR, Toyota has been using THUMS to identify the impact of powerful deceleration G forces experienced in a crash on the driver’s spine and internal organs. Taking into account seating conditions that are unique to race cars, it is investigating how the effect of these forces might be mitigated. June 23, 2017