Recently a new set of tests has been introduced in Euro NCAP that assesses the performance of front seats and head restraints in relation to the risk of whiplash-associated neck disorders in low severity rear-end collisions. In the absence of a clearly understood and generally accepted cause for these symptoms, the aim of this new procedure is to reflect real world seat performance, to highlight seats with known good and poor performance and to provide the maximum incentive to manufactures to move towards best practice in seat design.

Based on real world evidence and a review of the state-of-the-art in dummies, whiplash test experience and the real-world performance of commercially available seats on the market, a test procedure and criteria were developed that take into account both geometrical aspects and dynamic performance of the seat in three meaningful test severities.

Being one of the most comprehensive “whiplash” assessments of its kind, the paper provides the background and technical details to the procedure as well as a synthesis of the first results. The results highlight the potential for further improvement in the performance for the majority of car seats on the market today.