The collapsible crash-test robot car
The Global Vehicle Target is the new standard for testing autonomous driving and crash test systems. To cameras and radar, it looks like a car: but if you hit it, it’ll fly apart. So if your emergency braking doesn’t quite work… well, this is what happens.
Thanks to everyone at Thatcham Research! You can find out more about them at https://www.thatcham.org/ and about the target at https://www.thatcham.org/car-safety/driver-assistance/
Filmed by Tomek: https://youtube.com/tomek
Edited by Michelle Martin, https://www.youtube.com/@OnTheCrux
Post Audio by Emi Paternostro: http://proximitysound.com
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@TomScottGo
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
This was a lot of fun to film! Thanks to all the team: pull down the description for more about them.
@aaronklein6788
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I would like to see how far this technology has come in the time since recording and am also curious how something that is programmed to react "late and harsh" would account for adverse conditions such as rain, snow, or ice given the fact that hydroplaning and loss of traction are very real problems when suddenly breaking with such weather.
This technology is very interesting and has huge potential to make roads safer. But, at the same time, I cannot personally hope for society at large to lose the sense of responsibility that comes with driving safely and conscientiously, even if future technology allows for it and maybe even encourages it.
@z4d1ag
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
so a little while back i was driving and there had been a car crash a few km in front of me and this guy behind me was up my rear because he was being a twat honestly and the guy in front of me slammed his brakes to look at the crash or something and i was able to brake in time and then i see in my rear view mirror the guy behind me have his phone launched out of his hand and the car does the two little indicator beeps to show it was a automatic braking and i laughed so hard because of how dumb that guy was being truthfully we need to make better drivers not just better cars
@NOBODY-oq1xr
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
As a German i am not offended to apparently be a more aggressive driver than the swedes of all people.
@mrembeh1848
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Huh? It didn’t work. It hit the car ??
@nunyabiness181
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I know I am a few years late, but I’d like to formally request a video on the flat robot that goes 50 mph!
@viszke2412
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Sure it works, it’s a Volvo
@BBROPHOTO
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
The issue is, if one car slams on its brakes, then the person behind (especially if they don't have autonomous features) will have to brake even quicker and so and so on. If people all had great reactions and were spaced properly it would be less of an issue… but that isn't the case.
@iainballas
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
This reminded me of an incident where a guy hit my car. He had an older, mostly steel-and-titanium heavy duty industrial truck, versus my fiberglass and plastic subaru. My car just about flew apart, while his was undamaged beyond denting the grill guard. He looked at it, then shrugged at me. "Hope you can get it fixed." When the police tracked him down after he left, his excuse was "There was no damage to my car, it's not my problem." He'd hit my parked car at a wal-mart while I was going towards it. My car looked a bit like the test model here! Just doors popped off, hood caved in, bits lying everywhere. I don't know what his car was made of, but they sure don't build them like they used to anymore.
@MusikCassette
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
does this mean, that safety of people in cars is more important, than safety of people outside of one?
@Scyrixus
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Is that the same strip Carwow races on?
@jamie123b
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I work for the company that makes the GST (platform) and foam target, AB Dynamics. We make driving robots for cars too and small platforms for pedestrians
@JoshuaTootell
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
@2:50
Explains why I was plowed into by an inattentive driver. I was stopped in traffic, not moving at all. He was going full freeway speed and never slowed down.
Ironically, I was driving a Ford Fiesta (this break up model looks like big sister, the Focus) and my car was crushed with me in it
@Texamak
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
highway skateboard
@MuppetZonk73
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Has anyone noticed that the crash car looks like a hybrid between a Ford Focus in front and a Mercedes A class in the back, but has German number plates from Volkswagen? 😂
@dumbnutt
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
😩
@matthew8153
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I once test drove a car with lane assist. Somehow it assisted in taking the car off the side of the road even as I tried to force the wheel in the proper direction. I’ll NEVER buy systems like that. I want control over my vehicle.
@koharumi1
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I was hoping tom would be in the car when the real car hit the foam car.
@svcesportsleague
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
This is THE real advanced technology
@AgentPothead
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
You know how in movies or tv when there is a car crash there is always that one tire that rolls away comedically? That's that tire that was left standing.
@antonandersson5899
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Shout out to volvo for making safe cars
@crinnson
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Lego dissasemble sound
@fuiehfjfcnsl
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Ein Kommentar
@colechapman6976
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
This car is constantly getting into accidents. I bet it's insurance premiums are sky high
@jasonpeace1991
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I much prefer to be in complete control at all times
@captianmorgan7627
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
In 2020, eh? How did that go?
@JuanUnboxings
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
It’s a Fiesta!
@Mishap_Motors
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Awesome tech but hear me out, pay attention to the road and actually drive your car
@MetalFan10101
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
But can you take it through the drive thru?
@blendpinexus1416
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
i wonder if they have some teslas
@matthiashartge5520
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
So funny to see the robot car having a registration starting with WOB. Thats the code on German registration plates for the City of Wolfsburg, where the Volkswagen factory is. And indeed you see many cars with WOB in Germany when they have been picked up by the owner directly from the factory instead of a car dealer 🙂
@marcelmooreyt
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
i wanted to see his reaction of just blasting straight through the prop car being in the passenger seat of the real car
@kaz7953
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Germans are aggressive. Swedes are benign…🤣🤣🤣
@tooboukou8ball702
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
no 60mph?
@admiralfluffy42
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I was confused why you were getting in the drivers seat instead of the passenger seat, but then I realized. I live in America.
@masterfunkstuff
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
6oal
@WarrenSmith1605
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Have they tested this with a stationary motorbike? And what about a pedestrian?
@Tom-dd8su
April 9, 2026 at 1:09 pm
I know its only additional safety but still im mildly concerned that the car actually bumped into the foam fiesta at the second attempt. Many people probably think and rely on the knowing that their car has this feature and it will safe them if something happens. Would be interesting to see what happens at 60mph or at germany Autobahn speeds.