From crash test dummies to real world applications: The November 2024 ATHENS program in review
TUM Global, News |
The event was part of the “Biomechanics for Impact and Crash Safety” course offered by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Fabian Duddeck from TUM together with Prof. Dr. Steffen Peldschus from LMU. Prof. Duddeck is an expert in computational mechanics, Prof. Peldschus in biomechanics and accident research. The lecturers also invited guests from industry as well as doctoral students to support the course. They wanted to give the visiting students a different perspective to what they might get at their home universities.
Hands-on experience through a crash test workshop at ADAC
The crash test workshop took place at an ADAC research facility. Students had the opportunity to witness a live crash test, see the dummies up close and learn what data is collected to make cars and driving safer. After the presentations and the activities outside the classrooms, they worked in groups on projects based on the results of the experiments and the new findings from the course.
Juan Felipe Gonzalez Carvajal, a student from ParisTech (ENPC), said: “The course itself was really interesting, and as we could see a car crash test in action it was way easier to understand what we learned during the course.” He added: “Everything was nice, I would love to go back to Munich to do another ATHENS Week at TUM.”
Benefits for students and lecturers
Prof. Duddeck, who has been teaching ATHENS courses for many years, sees many benefits for the students that go beyond earning credits for their degree. These include the opportunity to interact with students from other EU universities, experience different teaching methods, explore new learning environments, and network with local industry partners. He also sees many advantages for himself as an instructor: "I benefit greatly from the incredibly active students with very diverse backgrounds – groups like this are not something I usually encounter in my lectures in Munich," he explains, adding, "Through the ATHENS program, I can motivate students to return for a master's or PhD program. And I can try out special lecture topics and pedagogical ideas."
The ATHENS program and the next opportunity to participate
The ATHENS program takes place twice a year, in March and November. It offers courses in various disciplines at the many ATHENS partner universities across Europe and also includes a cultural initiative called "European Dimension Activities." This combination allows participants to expand their academic expertise while discovering Europe's rich cultural diversity.
TUM students can now apply for the next ATHENS Week, which will take place from March 16 to 22, 2025.
Students from ATHENS partner universities who wish to take a course at TUM should contact the designated ATHENS coordinator at their home institution.
Application deadline: February 2, 2025
Research at ADAC helps develop standards for automobile safety across the EU and the world. Image: Josh Pontrelli / TUM
Crash test dummies come in a variety of shapes and sizes to simulate the impacts of crashes on different body types and body parts. The dummies are outfitted with numerous data collection points to help inform researchers and industry leaders about safety considerations. Image: Josh Pontrelli / TUM
Participants in front of Munich’s City Hall at Marienplatz prior to a city tour as part of the European Dimension Activities associated with the ATHENS program. Image: Josh Pontrelli / TUM
In the evening, the students enjoy the snow while visiting a Christmas market at the Munich Werksviertel. Image: Josh Pontrelli / TUM