NHTSA Extends Comment Period on THOR-50M Crash Test Dummy Rule to November 21

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has extended the public comment period for a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM) concerning the THOR-50M crash test dummy, moving the deadline from October 22, 2026 to November 21, 2026. The extension was granted in response to a request submitted by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) on September 28, 2026.

Background and Proposed Rule

NHTSA published an original Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on September 7, 2023, proposing to amend its regulations under 49 CFR Part 572 — Anthropomorphic Test Devices — to incorporate the Test Device for Human Occupant Restraint 50th percentile adult male, known as the THOR-50M. According to the document, the dummy represents an adult male of roughly average height and weight and is designed for use in frontal crash tests. The documentation for the dummy, including engineering drawings, qualification procedures and specifications, and procedures for assembly, disassembly, and inspection, would be incorporated by reference in 49 CFR Part 572.

On September 22, 2026, NHTSA published the SNPRM to supplement the original proposal. The SNPRM specifies alternative designs to the proposed drawing package for two components: the spine and the face insert. For the spine, the agency proposed a design referred to as the "four-position spine," which the document states allows integration of in-dummy data acquisition systems from different vendors while maintaining equivalent inertial properties and performance to the spine proposed in the original NPRM. For the face insert, the document explains that an alternative insert was developed to address limitations of the face foam proposed in the NPRM, in response to both comments received and operational concerns. The SNPRM also proposed a minor modification to the upper arm to address a durability concern, and research reports were placed in the THOR-50M research docket (Docket No. NHTSA-2019-0106).

Extension Request and Agency Rationale

Auto Innovators stated that the original 30-day comment period was insufficient for stakeholders to review and provide comments on the notice, research reports, and technical drawing packages. The group noted that more than 1,700 pages of highly detailed technical information were provided alongside the SNPRM. Auto Innovators further stated that a 30-day extension would provide stakeholders with sufficient opportunity to complete the necessary technical analyses, coordinate across member companies, and submit more detailed comments to help better inform any changes to the final rule.

NHTSA stated that it determined the requestors showed good cause for an extension and that the extension is consistent with the public interest. The agency described the 30-day extension as appropriately balancing its interest in providing the public with sufficient time to comment on the SNPRM and the associated technical updates to the THOR-50M design, with its interest in obtaining specific feedback from stakeholders in a timely manner.

What to Watch

The extended comment period for the SNPRM published on September 22, 2026 (91 FR 60068) now closes on November 21, 2026. All comments will be posted without change to regulations.gov. For technical inquiries, NHTSA has directed the public to contact Garry Brock, and for legal inquiries, to contact John Piazza, both reachable at 202-366-1810.

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