European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), an organization that conducts safety tests on new cars to evaluate their level of safety, has approved the Soft Pedestrian 360 safety feature from AB Dynamics. AB Dynamics specializes in developing and supplying tools and systems for testing and simulating various aspects of automobiles. This means that the Soft Pedestrian 360 can now be used to evaluate the performance of vehicle safety systems in all Euro NCAP’s pedestrian adult-based test scenarios.
The Soft Pedestrian 360, a new pedestrian target, crafted to evaluate Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) concerning pedestrian safety testing. It is a state-of-the-art VRU (Vulnerable Road User) target that mimics the realistic movements and appearance of a human pedestrian. Moreover, it has been designed by AB Dynamics sister company DRI, a provider of ADAS test equipment.
The Soft Pedestrian 360 had to undergo a rigorous assessment process to achieve Euro NCAP approval. It had to demonstrate that it meets the specific requirements set by the organisation. AB Dynamics supplied certification data. They also provided extensive back-to-back test data. This was done in partnership with an established Euro NCAP lab to ensure the reliability, accuracy, and effectiveness of their target.
On achieving TB 029 status, Dr Andrew Pick, Track Test Director at AB Dynamics said “We are thrilled that Euro NCAP has approved the Soft Pedestrian 360 for official testing. Euro NCAP ADAS testing is expanding and becoming increasingly complex. This expansion aims to better reflect real-world performance. This necessitates a highly realistic target, so we are delighted that our product meets Euro NCAP’s high standards.”
Key features of the Soft Pedestrian 360 include:
- Sophisticated articulation at the knee, hip, shoulder, and neck enhances the realism of the target. It allows it to replicate a wide range of movements beyond what a passive system can achieve.
- Modular architecture with minimal external hardpoints designed to minimise damage to test vehicles during crash test.
- Protected servos are fully encased in foam within each component. A novel slipper clutch prevents servos from being backdriven during collisions, enhancing durability.
- Hard-wearing fabric clothing that is easily and cost-effectively replaceable, if damaged.
The Soft Pedestrian 360 is the latest addition to their growing range of Euro NCAP-approved test equipment. This range also includes the Soft Car 360 and the Soft Motorcycle 360 ADAS targets and the LaunchPad target propulsion systems.
