New Crash Test Dummies Reflect Rising American Bodyweight

Ever thought that all those crash-test dummies getting slammed around in slow-motion were reflecting an unrealistic, hard-to-achieve body image? One company is acting to change that, with some super-sized (or right-sized) dummies more in line with current American body shapes: Plymouth, Michigan-based company Humanetics said that it has been manufacturing overweight crash test dummies to reflect growing obesity trends in the U.S. Humanetics has been the pioneer in crash test dummies segment since the 1950s. But now, the company's crash test dummies are undergoing a makeover, which will represent thicker waistlines and large rear ends of Americans.

Comments

What did you expect..

[bazmail]

... from our country that now judges food quality in calories per dollar?

Its disgusting seeing my nation turning into a bunch of blubber-pods.

Re:What did you expect..

[Person147]

This isn't a national thing, it's a side-effect caused by an overall rising standard of living within any given culture.

Actually in the UK (and I expect other countries) the poorer members of society are the fatter ones (citation). So the evidence collected thus far completely contradicts your comment. It may well be the case that as a culture (or country) itself raises its standards of living the population as a whole get fatter - but that wasn't your observation.

Re:What did you expect..

[Anonymous Coward]

Overweight people can (with a few exceptions due to medical conditions) change the fact that they're overweight. Gay people by and large cannot make themselves not gay. Apples and oranges.

Average body size

[OzPeter]

Kinda relevant, Average American Male's Body Compared To Bodies Of Men From Other Nations

What about the "old normal"?

[dpilot]

Might this have bad implications for those who can keep their appetites and activity levels in decent proportion?

I'm thinking about the fact that airbags can be harmful to kids, because they're tuned for adults. What happens when we start tuning our restraint systems for the obese? Will they continue to function properly for trim people, will they work less effectively, or might they actually become harmful, like airbags for kids? (I would expect that they might become too stiff for old-normal body proportions, for instance.)

Techniacl details of the dummies

[nimbius]

What ive found to be lacking in this article is the technical details of the dummies. Here at humanetics our dummies are actually quite advanced as the details on a few recently manufactured units will surely attest:

model 13543: Fudge: Meant to simulate the average child in america, Fudge comes pre-treated with cookie dough and its kinematic range has been artificially limited for realism. Fudge stands 4'4, and weights 230 pounds. Convenient multi-grip handles are provided as Fudge requres a team-lift for safety.
model 9543: Lerleen: lerleen measures 5' tall and weighs more than 400 pounds. Kinematics have been removed for savings/realism and the materials impregnated with a mix of cigarette smoke resin, liquid yogurt, and imitation chocolate. Installation is easy with the included guide rails and lift straps for most counterbalance indoor fork-lift trucks. Mass can be redirected to the feet, and feet are also removable in order to simulate lifelike condition of end-stage diabetes.
model 15442: Cobbler: Cobbler represents the average adult american male, at 5'11 and 550 pounds. This model is not kinematic, however is poseable in a variety of styles to simulate heart attack, COPD related loss of consciousness, or food-related motor vehicle operator distraction. Cobbler is impregnated with a malty, earthy aroma comprised of barbecue sauce and artificial cheese, and must be installed by a certified mover/millwright.