In the field of crash simulation, advanced human body models (HBMs) with muscle representation become more and more important because of their ability to emulate the behavior of real human occupants more accurately than dummy models. To get experimental validation data for these models concerning muscle activation and time-variant stiffness properties, a lowcost Driver-in-the-Loop (DiL) simulator based on a Porsche exhibition driving simulator is implemented. Driver kinematics and muscle activation are tracked by computer stereo vision and surface electromyography (SEMG). For improved driver immersion, kinematic feedback is provided by a six DoF motion platform, a force-feedback wheel and a bassshaker at the back of the driving seat. The DiL-simulation is based on a Simulink model, generated by the software package PreScan, with included mathematical models of vehicles, sensors, drivers, etc. The vehicle states, available in the generated Simulink model, are used to activate the motion platform via UDP protocol. Because of the physical limitations of the platform movement, the so-called Motion Cueing Algorithms (MCA) are necessary to emulate real driving sensation by providing motion cues which minimize the required translational platform movements.

Occupants exposed to low or moderate crash events can already suffer from whiplash-associated disorders leading to severe and long-lasting symptoms. However, the underlying injury mechanisms and the role of muscle activity are not fully clear. Potential increases in injury risk of non-nominal postures, i.e., rotated head, cannot be evaluated in detail due to the lack of experimental data. Examining changes in neck muscle activity to hold and stabilize the head in a rotated position during pre-crash scenarios might provide a deeper understanding of muscle reflex contributions and injury mechanisms. In this study, the influence of two different head postures (nominal vs. rotation of the head by about 63 ± 9° to the right) on neck muscle activity and head kinematics was investigated in simulated braking experiments inside a driving simulator. The braking scenario was implemented by visualization of the virtual scene using head-mounted displays and a combined translational-rotational platform motion. Kinematics of seventeen healthy subjects was tracked using 3D motion capturing. Surface electromyography were used to quantify muscle activity of left and right sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) and trapezius (TRP) muscles. The results show clear evidence that rotated head postures affect the static as well as the dynamic behavior of muscle activity during the virtual braking event. With head turned to the right, the contralateral left muscles yielded higher base activation and delayed muscle onset times. In contrast, right muscles had much lower activations and showed no relevant changes in muscle activation between nominal and rotated head position. The observed delayed muscle onset times and increased asymmetrical muscle activation patterns in the rotated head position are assumed to affect injury mechanisms. This could explain the prevalence of rotated head postures during a crash reported by patients suffering from WAD. The results can be used for validating the active behavior of human body models in braking simulations with nominal and rotated head postures, and to gain a deeper understanding of neck injury mechanisms.

Whiplash associated disorder (WAD) is a type of injury caused by rear-end impacts. It is a painful long-term injury of the soft tissue in the neck, which women suffer from 1.5 to 3 times more often compared to men. Progress in WAD research is difficult, as (i) it occurs at a loading level where muscle activity can no longer be neglected, (ii) as soft tissue characteristics play an essential role in WAD and (iii) there is no consensus on the injury mechanism causing WAD. Therefore, computational models of the human body are the most promising method to advance the understanding of WAD. Here, improvements of boundary and initial conditions are presented together with a discussion of its effects on the head kinematics and neck load.

Significant trends in the vehicle industry are autonomous driving, micromobility, electrification and the increased use of shared mobility solutions. These new vehicle automation and mobility classes lead to a larger number of occupant positions, interiors and load directions. As safety systems interact with and protect occupants, it is essential to place the human, with its variability and vulnerability, at the center of the design and operation of these systems. Digital human body models (HBMs) can help meet these requirements and are therefore increasingly being integrated into the development of new vehicle models. This contribution provides an overview of current HBMs and their applications in vehicle safety in different driving modes. The authors briefly introduce the underlying mathematical methods and present a selection of HBMs to the reader. An overview table with guideline values for simulation times, common applications and available variants of the models is provided. To provide insight into the broad application of HBMs, the authors present three case studies in the field of vehicle safety: (i) in‐crash finite element simulations and injuries of riders on a motorcycle; (ii) scenario‐based assessment of the active pre‐crash behavior of occupants with the Madymo multibody HBM; (iii) prediction of human behavior in a take‐over scenario using the EMMA model.

The representation of architecture is to an increasing extent expressed by means of computer-generated animation. The medium of architectural animation thus gets closer to the film without taking into consideration its specific design possibilities.Here the research project "Compositing Spaces" starts. It reveals in which fields architectural animation can get an impact from filmic design instruments. On behalf of film analysis precise stage directions to the virtual camera could be developed. In collaboration with visualizers, film professionals and psychologists the project has taken an unexpected turn and led to a form of expression that involves compositing technique. The project takes with the animation of high-resolution visualizations a most promising and low-priced approach.