Search Results

Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) or crash test dummies are an integral part to running automotive safety tests. ATDs require periodic dynamic verification and certification tests to ensure they are responding as designed prior to use in a vehicle crash test. In safety test laboratories, ATD certification has to be completed efficiently and reliably. For high volume safety testing, a PC based software package was required to conduct and manage ATD certification tests efficiently. This paper outlines a modular application that performs the following functions: conducting ATD verification tests, processing test data, generating certification reports, and managing dummy inventories and scheduling. The application seamlessly integrates off-the-shelf software with visual C++, ASP, and Oracle.

Energy management materials are widely used in automotive interiors in instrument panel, knee bolster, and door absorber applications to reduce the risk of injury to an occupant during a crash. Automobile manufacturers must meet standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that identify maximum levels of injury to an occupant. The recent NHTSA upgrade to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 201 test procedure(1) for upper interior head impact protection has prompted energy management materials' use in several new areas of affected vehicles. While vehicle evaluations continue, results to date show that energy management foams can be effective in reducing the head injury criterion [HIC(d)] to acceptable government and OEM levels.

A few years ago, electric vehicles (EVs) were considered to be objects of the distant future … technology that was still in its infancy, not yet ready and for those outside the “high pollution” areas probably not even worth the expenditure. But the present day scenario has changed dramatically. In the United States of America, several states are following California's lead and the need for the operating fleets to commit to purchase of Zero Emission vehicles (ZEVs) is becoming a requirement. In order to make the technology available to the utilities … as well as the public, state of the art, affordable batteries are essential for making EVs a reality and an effective means of transportation.