Volvo Reveals the Moose Crash Test Dummy Used in Safety Trials (3 Photos)
Vehicles are put to the test against collisions with 1,700-pound beasts 
During in-house safety testing for its upcoming models, Volvo doesn't just rely on traditional human crash test dummies—it also uses a life-size moose dummy. According to CarBuzz, citing Thomas Broberg, Senior Technical Advisor at the Volvo Cars Safety Centre, striking a large animal poses a severe threat to both the vehicle and its occupants, and the physics behind such an impact are uniquely dangerous. That’s why the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute developed this specialized dummy specifically for the automaker.
In a moose collision, the front bumper takes out the animal’s legs, sending its massive torso crashing over the hood straight into the windshield and A-pillars. Considering an adult moose can weigh anywhere from 660 to over 1,750 pounds (300 to 800 kg), Broberg notes that Volvo places tremendous focus on reinforcing the structural integrity of the car's front end and roof frame.
The representative explained that moose are a frequent hazard on winding rural roads, often darting into traffic at dusk or through heavy fog at surprising speeds. Their unpredictable behavior and low visibility significantly increase the risk of a high-speed impact. Broberg added that other regions face similar road hazards—in Saudi Arabia, for instance, camel collisions are a widespread concern.
Due to the niche nature of the tests and exorbitant development costs, it is believed that only two such moose dummies were ever built in Sweden. One originally belonged to SAAB, but given that brand's demise, the one preserved and used by Volvo may very well be the only active moose crash dummy left in the world. 
