Russia Develops “Smart” Mannequin to Test Vehicle Safety Systems

Scientists at Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R. E. Alekseev have patented a device that sets a crash-test mannequin’s legs in motion. The invention is used to test advanced driver assistance systems, with the broader goal of making transport safer not only in Russia but worldwide.

Modern vehicles are equipped with increasingly complex driver assistance technologies. But how can engineers verify whether electronics will respond at the right moment and whether a car will brake when a pedestrian suddenly steps onto the road? The only reliable answer is real-world testing using mannequins.

To make those tests more realistic, researchers devised a way to make the mannequin move. Cameras and sensors in vehicles do not recognize a stationary object as a person. If the mannequin does not move, the test fails at best. At worst, a vehicle could be equipped with a poorly functioning safety system, which in real life could lead to tragedy.

All Thanks to Special Bushings

In the past, such mechanisms often failed after collisions with vehicles. The patented device is described by its creators as virtually indestructible, which is what makes it unique. Mannequins were struck by cars at speeds of up to 80 km/h. While the mannequin itself did not survive, the mechanism did. The legs, attached to the system by magnets, detached as intended, while the drive unit housed inside the mannequin remained intact and ready for further tests.

Researchers achieved this level of performance by using special transitional bushings with rolling bearings, which reduce friction and allow servo drives to follow programmed movements with high precision. Equipped with the mechanism, the mannequin can not only walk but also run and stop on command.

By developing this technology, Russian engineers have made a significant contribution to the creation of future vehicles capable of preventing accidents on their own.