# 2026-19370: NHTSA Upgrades Crash Dummy's Spine and Squishy Face for Realism

2026-19370, Part 572; Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint 50th Percentile Adult Male Dummy (THOR-50M), is a Federal Register proposed rule from Transportation Department, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published 2026-09-22, effective 2026-09-22; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-29).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19370
- As of: 2026-09-29
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19370
- Title: Part 572; Anthropomorphic Test Devices; Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint 50th Percentile Adult Male Dummy (THOR-50M)
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Transportation Department; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 60068
- Published: 2026-09-22
- Effective: 2026-09-22
- Comments close: 2026-10-22
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 2127-AM20
- Last updated: 2026-09-29

## In one line

NHTSA Upgrades Crash Dummy's Spine and Squishy Face for Realism

## Summary

NHTSA is updating crash test rules to include a smarter crash test dummy called the THOR-50M, which better represents an average adult male. They’re asking for feedback on new spine designs and face foam options to make tests more accurate. If you’re involved in car safety or testing, get your comments in by October 22, 2026—this could shape future safety rules and testing costs.

## Abstract

This document supplements NHTSA's September 2023 notice of proposed rulemaking to amend NHTSA's regulations to include an advanced crash test dummy (the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint (THOR) 50th percentile adult male) by requesting comment on specifying an additional spine configuration and an alternative to the face foam, and announcing the availability of additional documents.

## Effects PRIA read

- Four‑Position Spine Allowed as Optional: benefit, medium. NHTSA proposes to allow the Humanetics four-position lumbar spine as a permitted optional configuration for the THOR-50M dummy. If adopted, part 572 would include two drawing packages (one with the original spine and external DAS, and one with the Humanetics four-position spine and an in-dummy DAS)…
- New 3D‑Printed Face Insert Option: benefit, medium. NHTSA proposes to specify a 3D‑printed thermoplastic polyurethane face insert (drawing 472-1405) as an alternative to the confor face foam (drawing 472-1401) for the THOR-50M. NHTSA testing showed the face insert meets mass/CG/MOI requirements, does not require repeated strikes or a 24-hour recover…
- Upper Arm Clevis Durability Update: benefit, low. NHTSA tentatively decided to update the THOR-50M drawing package to include Humanetics' current production upper arm clevis (assembly 472-3831) to address a durability concern. NHTSA testing found the updated upper arm clevis' range of motion and durability acceptable, and NHTSA is not aware of a p…
- THOR‑50M Inclusion Is Voluntary: benefit, low. NHTSA proposes to add the THOR-50M dummy to 49 CFR part 572 but would not require anyone to use the THOR-50M in regulatory or consumer-information crash testing. NHTSA states the amendments would not impose costs on those who choose not to purchase or use the dummy, and users who already own a THOR…

## Related documents

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- [2026-11072](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11072): Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214; Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 305a; Electric-Powered Veh…, 2026-06-03
- [2026-08144](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08144): Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures, 2026-04-27
- [2026-05024](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-05024): Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles, 2026-03-16
- [2026-05023](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-05023): Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporatio…, 2026-03-16
- [2025-22674](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-22674): Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 20…, 2025-12-12

## Sources
- [2026-19370 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/22/2026-19370/part-572-anthropomorphic-test-devices-test-device-for-human-occupant-restraint-50th-percentile-adult)
- [2026-19370 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-22/pdf/2026-19370.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19367, Capital Construction Fund Revision](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19367)
- [Next: 2026-19400, Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of 4-Hydroxy-N,N-Diisopropyltrypt…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19400)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19370 (as of 2026-09-29).