Humanetics
{{short description|American manufacturer of crash test dummies}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Humanetics
| type = Private
| traded_as =
| logo = Humanetics_company_logo.png
| foundation = {{start date and age|2012|06}}
| location = Farmington Hills, Michigan
| founder =
| industry = Industrial Technology: Safety Equipment, Simulation software , Sensor technology
| key_people = Christopher O'Connor, President and CEO
| revenue =
| parent = Humanetics Group
| website = {{URL|https://humanetics.humaneticsgroup.com/}}
| products = Crash test dummies, anthropomorphic test devices, Active safety equipment
| area_served =
}}
Humanetics is the largest manufacturer of anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs), commonly known as crash test dummies, as measured by market share. Headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the company is a subsidiary of Humanetics Group, itself owned by Bridgepoint Capital, a private equity firm.
History
One of the companies that would become Humanetics was founded as Humanoid Systems in Beverly Hills, California in 1973 by Sam Alderson, an inventor and engineer.{{cite web |url=https://www.nysun.com/obituaries/samuel-alderson-90-crash-test-dummy-inventor/9451/ |title=Samuel Alderson, 90, Crash-test Dummy Inventor |website=The NY Sun |date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052308/http://www.nysun.com/obituaries/samuel-alderson-90-crash-test-dummy-inventor/9451/ |url-status=live }} Alderson had previously founded and sold Alderson Research Laboratories, an early manufacturer of dummies for ejector seat testing for the Air Force. Humanoid Systems won large contracts with General Motors and Ford to sell crash test dummies for $20,000 each.
In 1990, Alderson Research Laboratories and Humanoid Systems merged to form First Technology Safety Systems (FTSS).{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-17-me-alderson17-story.html |title=Samuel Alderson, 90; Inventor of Dummies Used to Test Car Safety |newspaper=LA Times |date=February 17, 2005 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925124149/http://articles.latimes.com/2005/feb/17/local/me-alderson17 |url-status=live }}
In 1999, FTSS acquired the dummy-development and manufacturing business of the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research.{{cite book |last= Haslam |first= David |date= 2013 |title= The Humanetics Story: An Illustrated History of the Crash Test Dummy |publisher= HMSI Publishing |page= 80 |isbn= 978-0985199616}}
In 2001, FTSS acquired HITEC Sensor Solutions, an American manufacturer of specialized strain gage applications.
In December 2005, FTSS was acquired by Honeywell.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2928713/First-Technology-accepts-Honeywell-offer.html |title=First Technology accepts Honeywell offer |website=The Telegraph |date=December 20, 2005 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004843/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2928713/First-Technology-accepts-Honeywell-offer.html |url-status=live }}
In March 2006, Honeywell announced they were selling FTSSS to a private equity firm.{{cite web |url=https://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/30/honeywell-orphans-crash-test-dummies/ |title=Honeywell orphans crash test dummies |website=Autoblog |date=March 30, 2006 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004843/https://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/30/honeywell-orphans-crash-test-dummies/ |url-status=live }}
In 2008, Christopher O’Connor, a retired U.S. Army colonel and former General Electric Co. executive with an engineering background became CEO of FTSS.
In 2009, Humanetics was formed by Chicago private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital Ltd. FTSS with Milan Township Ohio-based ATD company Denton ATD Inc. The subsidiaries Humanetics, HITEC Sensor Solutions and Sensor Developments Inc. were placed under a holding company, Safety Technology Holdings Inc (STH), based in Farmington Hills, Michigan.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0914498D:US |title=Safety Technology Holdings Inc |website=Bloomberg |date= |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004844/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/0914498D:US |url-status=live }}
In December 2013, Wynnchurch Capital Ltd sold STH to San Francisco-based private equity company Golden Gate Capital.{{cite web |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20131208/NEWS/312089957/crash-test-dummy-maker-sees-sale-as-smart-move-for-growth |title=Crash-test dummy maker sees sale as smart move for growth |website=Crain's Detroit |date=December 8, 2013 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=September 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210927043614/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20131208/NEWS/312089957/crash-test-dummy-maker-sees-sale-as-smart-move-for-growth |url-status=live }}{{subscription required|date=April 2021}}
In 2014, the company began producing heavier dummies with a higher body mass index to more accurately replicate crash results involving heavier humans.{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/10/30/obese-crash-test-dummies/18168679/ |title=Crash-test dummy maker sees sale as smart move for growth |website=USA Today |date=November 19, 2014 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004843/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/10/30/obese-crash-test-dummies/18168679/ |url-status=live }}
In February 2015, STH acquired FronTone GmbH, an Austrian manufacturer of safety-test equipment.{{cite news | url=https://www.todaysmotorvehicles.com/article/humanetics-buys-frontone-test-dummies-crash-sleds-020315/ | work=Today's Motor Vehicles | title=Safety company Humanetics buys FrontTone | date=February 3, 2015 | accessdate=August 28, 2021 | archive-date=August 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004846/https://www.todaysmotorvehicles.com/article/humanetics-buys-frontone-test-dummies-crash-sleds-020315/ | url-status=dead }}
In February 2017, STH acquired Fibercore Limited, a British manufacturer of specialty optical fibers.{{cite news | url=https://www.laserfocusworld.com/fiber-optics/article/16569842/fibercore-sold-to-test-and-sensor-company-humanetics | work=Laser Focus World | title=Fibercore sold to test and sensor company Humanetics | date=February 8, 2017 | accessdate=August 29, 2021 | archive-date=August 30, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004844/https://www.laserfocusworld.com/fiber-optics/article/16569842/fibercore-sold-to-test-and-sensor-company-humanetics | url-status=live }} Also in February, STH signed an exclusive agreement with AICON 3D Systems to provide vehicle safety testing systems.{{cite web |url=https://metrology.news/humanetics-innovative-solutions-and-aicon-3d-systems-agreement/ |title=Humanetics Innovative Solutions and Aicon 3D Systems Distribution Agreement |website=Metrology News |date=February 27, 2017 |access-date=August 28, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004846/https://metrology.news/humanetics-innovative-solutions-and-aicon-3d-systems-agreement/ |url-status=dead }}
In February 2018, London-based investment firm Bridgepoint acquired STH from Golden Gate Capital.{{cite news | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bridgepoint-buys-safety-technology-holdings-from-golden-gate-1518560303 | work=Wall Street Journal | title=Bridgepoint Buys Safety Technology Holdings From Golden Gate | date=February 13, 2018 | accessdate=August 29, 2021 | archive-date=August 31, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831235212/https://www.wsj.com/articles/bridgepoint-buys-safety-technology-holdings-from-golden-gate-1518560303 | url-status=live }} In March, STH acquired DSD Testing GmbH, an Austrian manufacturer of safety-test equipment.{{cite web|url= https://www.autonews.com/article/20180306/OEM10/180309615/crash-test-dummy-maker-humanetics-buys-austrian-manufacturer |title=Crash test dummy maker Humanetics buys Austrian manufacturer|website=Auto News |date=March 6, 2018 |access-date=August 29, 2021}} In May, Humanetics began 3D printing dummies.{{cite news|url=https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/humanetics-elderly-dummy-3d-printing/|title=Humanetics creates "elderly" crash test dummy with help of 3D printing|date=May 22, 2018|work=TCT Magazine|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415194641/https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/humanetics-elderly-dummy-3d-printing/|url-status=live}} In October, STH's HITEC Sensors division acquired United Kingdom-based Aero Sense Technologies, a manufacturer of custom sensors for aerospace and industrial customers.{{cite web|url=https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/hitec-sensor-developments-in-plymouth-township-acquires-united-kingdoms-aero-sense/|title=HITEC Sensor Developments in Plymouth Township Acquires United Kingdom's Aero Sense|website=dBusiness|date=October 22, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004844/https://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/hitec-sensor-developments-in-plymouth-township-acquires-united-kingdoms-aero-sense/|url-status=live}}
In January 2019, Humanetics and several automakers and suppliers including BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Zoox, Faurecia and Autoliv formed the Advanced Driving Systems Consortium, to develop seating standards that the NHTSA can use for autonomous vehicles.{{cite news | url=https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/reimagining-federal-safety-standards | work=Automotive News | title=Reimagining federal safety standards | date=January 28, 2019 | access-date=April 21, 2019 | archive-date=April 21, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421221221/https://www.autonews.com/mobility-report/reimagining-federal-safety-standards | url-status=live }} In February, Safety Technology Holdings purchased laser processing equipment company OpTek Systems.{{cite web|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/mergers-acquisitions/safety-technology-holdings-acquires-uk-based-optek-systems |title=Safety Technology Holdings acquires UK-based OpTek Systems |website=Crain's Detroit |date=February 3, 2019 |access-date=August 29, 2021}}
In July 2020, STH renamed itself as Humanetics Group.{{cite web |url=https://www.logolounge.com/articles/crashtestdummycompanyrebrands |title=Crash Test Dummy-Company Rebrands |website=Logo Lounge |date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004847/https://www.logolounge.com/articles/crashtestdummycompanyrebrands |url-status=live }}
In March 2021, Humanetics Group acquired design firm Human Solutions GmbH and body scanning firm Avalution GmbH, both based in Kaiserslautern, Germany.{{cite web|url= https://www.techcentury.com/2021/03/02/humanetics-buys-german-simulation-software-companies/ |title=Humanetics buys German simulation software companies |website=Tech Century |date=March 2, 2021 |access-date=August 29, 2021}}
In June 2022, Humanetics announces that mg-sensor GmbH, specialists in the design and development of high-quality sensors, data acquisition and calibration services, is officially joining Humanetics Group.{{Cite web |date=2022-06-21 |title=Humanetics Acquires mg-sensor to Advance Its Safety, Digital and Sensor Vision |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220621005232/en/Humanetics-Acquires-mg-sensor-to-Advance-Its-Safety-Digital-and-Sensor-Vision |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111185933/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220621005232/en/Humanetics-Acquires-mg-sensor-to-Advance-Its-Safety-Digital-and-Sensor-Vision |url-status=live }}
In July 2022, Humanetics announces the acquisition of ATD-LabTech GmbH, an independent supplier of testing systems, as well as a service and consulting provider.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-29 |title=Humanetics Announces That ATD-LabTech GmbH Is Joining the Humanetics Group |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220729005459/en/Humanetics-Announces-That-ATD-LabTech-GmbH-Is-Joining-the-Humanetics-Group |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111185934/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220729005459/en/Humanetics-Announces-That-ATD-LabTech-GmbH-Is-Joining-the-Humanetics-Group |url-status=live }}
Products
File:THOR 50th - male crash test device.jpgFile:Child ATD - Q10.jpg
Humanetics makes a variety of crash test dummies, ranging from newborn infants and adults to the obese and the elderly.{{cite news|url=https://fox40.com/2017/02/11/crash-test-dummies-are-older-and-fatter-just-like-many-americans/|title=Crash-Test Dummies are Older and Fatter — Just Like Many Americans|date=February 11, 2017|work=Fox 40|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415194645/https://fox40.com/2017/02/11/crash-test-dummies-are-older-and-fatter-just-like-many-americans/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ai-online.com/2017/10/dummies-for-a-new-generation-of-older-drivers-a-and-passengers/#sthash.s0R71j1G.dpbs|title=Dummies for a new generation of older drivers and passengers|website=Automotive Industries Online|date=October 1, 2017|access-date=August 29, 2021|archive-date=August 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004844/https://www.ai-online.com/2017/10/dummies-for-a-new-generation-of-older-drivers-a-and-passengers/#sthash.s0R71j1G.dpbs|url-status=live}} The company works with agencies and industry groups such as NHTSA, Euro NCAP, and the University of Michigan's International Center for Automotive Medicine (ICAM) to design crash test dummies that reflect changing worldwide demographics. The dummy product line-up includes a range of frontal, side and rear impact and child crash test dummies.
The company's most biologically accurate model is THOR (Test device for Human Occupant Restraint). Humanetics developed THOR with funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).{{cite web |url=https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/thor-50m_qualification_august2016.pdf |title=THOR 50thPercentile Male (THOR-50M) |website=NHTSA |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-date=November 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120040104/https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/thor-50m_qualification_august2016.pdf |url-status=live }} The dummy has 57 sensors that analyze 140 factors such as chest compression, sternum acceleration, and skull shifting.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/meet-thor-the-most-lifelike-crash-test-dummy-yet|title=The $400,000 Man: A Smarter Crash-Test Dummy Called Thor|date=February 18, 2016|work=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415195646/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-18/meet-thor-the-most-lifelike-crash-test-dummy-yet|url-status=live}} Humanetics produces a THOR-50M representing a 50th percentile adult male, a THOR-5F representing a 5th percentile female, and a THOR-AV 50M and THOR-AV 5F for autonomous vehicle safety testing.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
The company also produces the Hybrid III, the established standard for a front-end test crash.
Humanetics 3D prints some of its dummies, a cheaper and faster process versus traditional steel-based dummies, with more durable parts.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2018/05/24/3d-printing-for-dummies-replicating-grandmas-fragile-bones-for-vehicle-crash-tests/|title=3D Printing For Dummies: Replicating Grandma's Fragile Bones For Vehicle Crash Tests|date=May 24, 2018|work=Forbes|access-date=April 15, 2019|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415194643/https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2018/05/24/3d-printing-for-dummies-replicating-grandmas-fragile-bones-for-vehicle-crash-tests/|url-status=live}} The company uses a micro carbon fiber filled nylon filament from 3D printing company Markforged called Onyx.{{Cite web|title=Markforged Changes 3D Printing Once Again with the Mark X 3D Printer|url=https://www.engineering.com/BIM/ArticleID/13294/Markforged-Changes-3D-Printing-Once-Again-with-the-Mark-X-3D-Printer.aspx|access-date=August 29, 2021|website=www.engineering.com|language=en-US|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031183529/https://www.engineering.com/BIM/ArticleID/13294/Markforged-Changes-3D-Printing-Once-Again-with-the-Mark-X-3D-Printer.aspx|url-status=live}}
The company also develops active safety equipment and facilities targeted for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous cars. This includes UFO Nano, an Ultra Flat Overrunnable (UFO) robot platform used to mimic pedestrian behavior.{{cite web |url=https://insideautonomousvehicles.com/humanetics-launches-stealth-robot-for-testing-adas-vehicle-safety-features-to-protect-pedestrians/ |title=Humanetics Launches Stealth Robot for Testing ADAS Vehicle Safety Features to Protect Pedestrians |website=Inside Autonomous Vehicles |date=December 30, 2020 |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004845/https://insideautonomousvehicles.com/humanetics-launches-stealth-robot-for-testing-adas-vehicle-safety-features-to-protect-pedestrians/ |url-status=live }}
Other related products include ATD calibration software, and a range of instrumentation including load cells, accelerometers, potentiometers and IR-TRACCs (Infra-Red Telescoping Rod for the Assessment of Chest Compression).{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
The company holds numerous patents for the assembly of ATDs, along with systems to measure their performance in simulated crashes.{{cite web |url=https://patents.justia.com/assignee/humanetics-innovative-solutions-inc |title=Patents Assigned to Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Inc. |website=Justia |date= |access-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830004844/https://patents.justia.com/assignee/humanetics-innovative-solutions-inc |url-status=live }}
Humanetics' Avalution GmbH business unit specializes in 3D body scanning, and owns the largest international database of human body dimensions and shapes.
Humanetics' Human Solutions GmbH business unit develops Ramsis software, considered the industry standard for ergonomic design. Using the Avalution database, Ramsis allows users to create virtual vehicle interiors and custom 3D avatars to simulate vehicle occupants, for safety and ergonomic testing and development.
Other Humanetics Group divisions
Humanetics includes multiple business units:
- Avalution GmbH, a 3D human body scanning firm
- Human Solutions GmbH, a design firm that provides CAD models of humans for prototype testing
- Fibercore, a British manufacturer of specialty optical fibers
- HITEC Sensors, a manufacturer of specialized strain gage applications
- OpTek Systems, a manufacturer of laser processing equipment
- mg-sensor GmbH, specialists in the design and development of high-quality sensors, data acquisition and calibration services
- ATD-LabTech GmbH, an independent supplier of testing systems, as well as a service and consulting provider
Operations
Since 2018, Humanetics Group and its subsidiaries have been owned by private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital. Humanetics has two plants in the United States: one at its headquarters in Farmington Hills, Michigan, where it focuses on instrumentation, and another in Huron, Ohio.{{cite news | url=https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2008/08/07/Milan-firm-to-double-size-of-manufacturing-plant/stories/200808070096 | work=The Blade | title=Milan firm to double size of manufacturing plant | date=August 7, 2008 | access-date=April 21, 2019 | archive-date=April 21, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421221219/https://www.toledoblade.com/local/2008/08/07/Milan-firm-to-double-size-of-manufacturing-plant/stories/200808070096 | url-status=live }} The company also has facilities worldwide including The Netherlands; Heidelberg, Germany; Graz and Linz, Austria; Shanghai, China; Bangalore, India; and Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan.{{cite news| url=http://www.humaneticsatd.com/about-us| work=Humanetics| title=About Us| access-date=April 21, 2019| archive-date=April 21, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421221229/http://www.humaneticsatd.com/about-us| url-status=live}}
Humanetics Group's President and Chief Executive Officer is Christopher O’Connor.