Autoliv expands virtual testing suite

Autoliv said on September 8 that it is widening the use of virtual crash testing through its Human Body Model Safety Suite, a software-and-model package aimed at engineers developing occupant-protection systems. The company said the suite is designed to support development of airbags, seat belts and other restraint systems using a digital human body model rather than relying only on physical crash dummies and prototype tests. Toyota has been onboarded as the first customer to evaluate the platform’s capabilities, according to Autoliv’s announcement. (autoliv.com 1) (autoliv.com 2) The rollout adds to Autoliv’s push to sell not only hardware such as airbags and seat belts, but also digital engineering tools tied to crash simulation and validation workflows. On its product pages, the company describes the HBM Safety Suite as an integrated offer built around SAFER HBM, visualization software and training support, with additional workflow tools planned. ### What exactly did Autoliv announce? Autoliv said the HBM Safety Suite is an integrated virtual safety platform that combines a human body model for crash simulation with software for analysis, visualization and decision-making. (autoliv.com) The company said the platform is intended to help engineers study occupant response and injury mechanisms in ways that are difficult to capture with physical crash dummies alone. The September 8 announcement framed the update as an expansion of virtual testing for vehicle-safety development. Autoliv did not disclose pricing or commercial terms for the suite in the materials reviewed. (autoliv.com) ### What is in the Safety Suite now? Autoliv’s website says the suite includes SAFER HBM, a post-processing tool called The Visualiser, and a Learning Center intended to guide users through the workflow. The company also says a pre-processing tool is planned, indicating that it is still building out the package around the core model. (autoliv.com) The SAFER HBM model is described by Autoliv as a globally recognized human body model originally founded through work involving Chalmers University of Technology, Autoliv and Volvo Cars. Autoliv says ongoing development is driven with the Fraunhofer-Chalmers Research Center. (autoliv.com) ### Why are automakers and suppliers using human body models? Autoliv said virtual testing can be used to analyze complex crash conditions that are difficult to reproduce physically. The company says human body models offer insight into anatomy, kinematics and potential injury mechanisms beyond what conventional crash dummies can provide. (autoliv.com) On its HBM Safety Suite page, Autoliv says the system is tailored for automotive crash simulation across cars, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. The company also says the suite is intended to improve efficiency and flexibility in crash-simulation workflows. (autoliv.com) ### Where does this fit in Autoliv’s broader business? Autoliv describes itself as the world’s largest automotive safety supplier and says its core products include airbags, seat belts and steering wheels. That makes the software push notable because the same company that supplies restraint hardware is also offering simulation tools used earlier in the design cycle. (autoliv.com) Autoliv’s broader testing business already includes crash testing, computer simulations and post-test analysis, according to its test-services page. The HBM suite extends that work into a productized digital platform that customers can use in their own development programs. (hbmsafetysuite.autoliv.com) That last point is an inference from the company’s description of the suite as a licensed, supported offering. ### What comes next for the platform? Toyota is the first named customer evaluating the HBM Safety Suite, Autoliv said in its September 8 release. The company’s product materials also point to further additions, including the planned pre-processing tool and continued development of SAFER HBM with Fraunhofer-Chalmers Research Center. (autoliv.com) (autoliv.com) (autoliv.com)