First ever female crash test dummy unveiled in 'long overdue' move by US transportation department
Published on Nov 24, 2025 at 1:49 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Nov 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The first-ever female crash test dummy was unveiled in a ‘long overdue’ move by the US transportation department, marking a major shift in how vehicle safety data is collected.
The new THOR 05F model finally brings a body based on real female proportions into crash testing.
It was introduced as part of a safety update that officials say should have happened years earlier.
Engineers behind the project believe it will reshape how automakers design protective systems for millions of drivers.
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The first female crash test dummy is here
The car world is finally embracing a change that should have happened a long time ago.
Meet the THOR 05F, a female crash test dummy that has arrived with advanced sensors, updated biomechanics, and a body structure that accurately reflects how women experience collisions.
The older Hybrid III dummy has been the standard since the 1970s and is based on a male body, limiting how well researchers could measure female injuries sustained in car collisions.
THOR 05F features more than 150 sensors that capture data around the pelvis, abdomen, chest, and lower spine, giving researchers measurements that have never been part of US crash tests before.
She also comes with a flexible spine and improved joint movement, which more accurately represents how a real person would sit in a car.
This update is essential because women have historically faced a higher risk of serious injury in auto collisions.
So the new female crash test dummy means that all automakers can redesign more passenger-facing parts of cars, like seats, seatbelts, and airbags.
What does this move mean for vehicle safety?
This new female crash test dummy will lead to better vehicle safety in general, as the tests with THOR 05F will give automakers a better idea of how to protect a wider range of occupants.
It doesn’t look like it’ll be long before crash-testing with a female dummy will become a requirement for American automakers before they release new cars.
This update has aligned America with Sweden and Australia, where female crash test dummies are already being used.
This is a turning point for the American car industry, and one that’s considered long overdue.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
