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April 30, 2008 10:47 AM PDT

Toyota simulation tries to keep you in one piece

by Damian Koh
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Having made a fool of ourselves last Friday crashing at every turn in the SingTel F1 simulator race, we were relieved to see somebody else being a klutz behind the wheel.

(Credit: Fareastgizmos)

Toyota has developed a computer simulation dubbed Total Human Model Safety (THUMS), which re-creates high-speed accidents to examine the impact it has on human physiology, according to Fareastgizmos. The system is part of a new study conducted jointly with the FIA Institute that is designed specifically to examine high-speed rear-impact collisions at the FIA Formula One World Championship and Indy Racing League.

Driving an F1 car, as you might imagine, is unlike steering a conventional automobile. The seat is lower than usual and the driver is reclined with legs stretched to reach the pedals. For first-timers, this somewhat awkward position takes some getting used to, and it doesn't help that your vision is limited only to what is immediately ahead. There are also other things to consider, such as the G-force when traveling at speeds in excess of 186 miles per hour and the immense stress on the driver's spine during rear-impact collisions.

If all this talk sounds alien to you, that's because you are not an F1 driver. But you can still pretend to be one. Just sign up for the free F1 simulator ride making its rounds in Singapore right now.

(Source: Crave Asia)

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