Paul Lemmen

Paul has been a leading expert in anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) for over three decades. He began his career at TNO in 1988, later transitioning to FTSS before joining Humanetics in 2011. As business development manager for ATDs, he plays a key role in advancing crash test technology to meet the evolving challenges of vehicle safety. With extensive experience in ATD development and industry standards, Paul is dedicated to shaping the future of automotive safety and occupant protection.

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Presentation

Ensuring passenger safety in reclined seating: the role of THOR-AV-50M

As autonomous vehicles (AVs) and innovative seating configurations become more common, traditional crash testing methods must evolve. The THOR-AV-50M is the industry’s first crash test dummy specifically designed to assess occupant safety in postures expected in AVs. This includes reclined seating, which is also a growing feature in luxury car interiors. Selected for a new reclined seating test protocol in China, THOR-AV-50M enables measurement of submarining risks, lumbar loads and seatbelt effectiveness in non-traditional postures. This presentation explores the development of THOR-AV-50M, its unique capabilities and its critical role in shaping the next generation of AV safety regulations and consumer protection.