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November 11 – 12, 2026 | Aschaffenburg, Germany

On Site & Online

Human Modeling and Simulation in Automotive Engineering

The application of numerical simulation with digital human models offers exciting new opportunities in automotive engineering. The use of human models in the areas of safety, comfort, and ergonomics can overcome the limitations imposed by the use of real humans or their mechanical surrogates, thus enabling further optimization of automotive designs. In addition, human modeling and simulation is opening the new era of virtual testing for safety assessment and homologation.

Focus Topic 2026

Autonomous vehicles will bring significant comfort benefits to passengers. However, the safety of alternative seating positions must not be compromised. Human Modeling and Simulation is currently the only technology that allows the assessment of occupant protection for new vehicle interior architectures with flexible seating arrangements.

The 12th International Symposium on Human Modeling and Simulation in Automotive Engineering aims to continue and advance the dialog between researchers, software developers and industrial users of human models. Presentations by renowned researchers, software developers and industrial users from around the world on biomechanical research, digital human models and their application in automotive engineering will guarantee a unique and highly relevant conference.

This event is funded as part of the Congress Initiative for the Bavarian Tourism Industry (Congresses in Bavaria – KiB).

Program

Wednesday, November 11, 2026

The times given here refer to CET = UTC+1

09:00
Welcome
Rainer Hoffmann - carhs gmbh

Biomechanics

Chair: Prof. Dr. Cynthia Bir - Wayne State University
09:10
Cortical Bone Fracture Model Assessed in Isolated Bone and Full Human Body Models
Prof. Dr. Duane S. Cronin - University of Waterloo
09:35
Deterministic Prediction of Rib Fracture in Young and Aged Small Females: A Computational Study Across Isolated Rib and Full-Body Scales
Dr. Miguel Angel Corrales Fabre - Tecnológico de Monterrey
10:00
Influence of Transversely Isotropic Cortical Bone Properties on Periprosthetic Femur Fractures: Development and Validation of a New Modeling Strategy
Özgür Cebeci - IAT Ingenieurgesellschaft für Automobiltechnik mbH; Prof. Dr. Duane S. Cronin - University of Waterloo; Michael Sämann - Universität Rostock; Univ.-Prof. Dr. Sara Checa Esteban - Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Julius Wolff Institut
10:25
Modelling Thoracic Injury Risk in Passenger Car Crashes: The Role of Seating Posture, Safety Systems and Vehicle Parameters – A Comparison of GLM and XGBoost Approaches
Lena Pett - Verkehrsunfallforschung an der TU Dresden GmbH (VUFO)
10:50
Coffee Break
11:15
Lower Extremity Injury Prediction with SAFER HBM
Prof. Dr. Bengt Pipkorn - Volvo Cars Corporation
11:40
Lower Extremity Injury Assessment Methods
Dr. Christoph Klein - Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH; Johannes Prinz - ika Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge - RWTH Aachen University; Dr.-Ing. Maximilian Praster - Uniklinik RWTH Aachen

Passive Human Body Models

Chair: Dr. Christoph Klein - Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH
12:05
Objective Comparison and Quantification of Finite Element Model Results to Experimental Data
Prof. Dr. Duane S. Cronin - University of Waterloo
12:30
Integration of Three-dimensional Cervical Muscles into a Human Body Model
Annika Stötzel - Volkswagen AG et al.
12:55
Lunch Break
13:45
Injury Risk Function Development and Updates on AC-HUMs
Qiuyu Gan - CAERI - China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co. Ltd.
14:10
Towards Broader and More Versatile Human Body Models
Alexander Gromer - ANSYS Germany GmbH
14:35
Building Confidence in Virtual Safety Development: Practical, Robust, and Efficient HBM Connect® Workflows for Automotive CAE
Dr.-Ing. Anurag Soni - Humanetics Europe GmbH
15:00
An Advanced Framework for Pelvis Scaling of AM50 VW Group HBM to Represent Population Diversity
Dr. Debasis Sahoo - Volkswagen AG et al.
15:25
Coffee Break
15:50
Development and Validation of an Enhanced Facial Finite Element Model for Road Safety Applications
Dr. Caroline Deck - University of Strasbourg et al.
16:15
Predicting Submarining Before It Happens: SAFER HBM for Reclined Occupant Safety Design
Krystoffer Mroz - Autoliv Research AB

Active Human Body Models

Chair: Rainer Hoffmann - carhs gmbh
16:40
Integrating Realistic Occupant Behavior into Crash Simulations
Dr. Monika Harant - Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik ITWM; Dr.-Ing. Matthias Boljen - Fraunhofer-Institut für Kurzzeitdynamik, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI
17:05
A Generalized MB-to-FE Coupling Workflow for Pre-Crash to In-Crash Human Body Simulations
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Fehr - University of Stuttgart et al.
17:30
A Hybrid Modelling Approach with Muscle-Length Feedback Control for Human Body Models with defined 3D muscle geometries
Mukund Thirugnanasambanthar - Ansys, part of Synopsys et al.

 

Thursday, November 12, 2026

Hybrid Human Body Models

Chair: Dr. Karin Brolin - Lightness by Design AB
08:30
Hybrid Digital Humans for Automotive Safety: Integrating Muscle-Driven Dynamics with Photorealistic Avatars
Abhijeet Marekar - VAIVA GmbH; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Fehr - University of Stuttgart; Dr.-Ing. Matthias Haringer, Benjamin Blaume - VAIVA GmbH

Pre- and Postprocesing HBMs

Chair: Dr. Karin Brolin - Lightness by Design AB
08:55
Advanced Handling of Human Body Models in ANSA and META
Thanassis Lioras - BETA CAE Systems S.A. et al.
09:20
A Tool Proposal for Streamline Visualization of Relevant Injury Data in Passive Safety
Stefano Tomassi, Prof. Alessandro Scattina - Politecnico di Torino; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Fehr - University of Stuttgart
09:45
HBM Positioning and Injury Assessment Workflows in the Oasys LS-DYNA Environment
Dr. Galal Mohamed - Oasys LS-DYNA Environment
10:10
Accelerated Strategies for Human Body Model Repositioning: Comparing Dynamic, Kinematic, Morphing, and Constraint-Based Deformation Workflows
Dr. Aravind Sundararajan - Elemance, LLC
10:35
Coffee Break

HBMs in Crash Simulations Part 1

Chair: Dr. Karin Brolin - Lightness by Design AB
11:00
Spinal Fixation and Injury Risk Predictions in Frontal Vehicle Collisions: A Computational Study
Dr. Sloan Kulper, Erica Ueda Boles - Lifespans Ltd.; Özgür Cebeci, Kai Ikels - IAT Ingenieurgesellschaft für Automobiltechnik mbH
11:25
Investigation of Injury Mechanisms of Female Drivers Exhibiting Chinese Anthropometric Characteristics in Frontal Collisions
Prof. Dr. Haiyan Li - Tianjin University of Science and Technology et al.
11:50
Structural Design Optimization of CRS Based on Causal Chains of Time-Series Mode Transitions
Yuki Kurakata - Doshisha University
12:15
Lunch Break

HBMs in Crash Simulations Part 2

Chair: Dr.-Ing. Andre Eggers - BASt - German Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute
13:05
Preliminary Human Body Model Reconstruction of a Real-World Frontal Crash to Inform Belt-System Optimization for Abdominal Injury Mitigation
Dr. Karthik Somasundaram, Dale Halloway, Ganesh Shete, Frank A. Pintar - Medical College of Wisconsin
13:30
Fatbike Accidents Involving Pedestrians - The Impact of Speed on Injury Risk
Frank Schoenmakers - Schoenmakers Consulting; Prof. Dr. Jac Wismans - SAFETEQ- Automotive Safety Consulting
13:55
A Simulation Workflow for the Assessment of Bus and Shuttle Occupants
Sebastian Weber, Ramasamy Ellankavi - ZF Group; Oliver Zehbe, Dr. Christoph Klein - Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH
14:20
Coffee Break
14:45
Taking Up the Torch: From Research to Design Tools Considerations from the perspective of THUMS Users
Philipp Thomas Wernicke - BMW Group; Prof. Dr. Steffen Peldschus - LMU University of Munich
15:10
Human Body Models in Vehicle Development – Potentials, Limitations, and Challenges in Validation, Certification, and Assessment
Christoph Vieler - Volkswagen AG et al.

Preparing for Virtual Testing

Chair: Dr.-Ing. Andre Eggers - BASt - German Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute
15:35
Virtual Testing for All: Open-Source Human Body Models and Simcenter Radioss
Dr. Dmitri Fokin, Paul Sharp - Siemens Digital Industries Software
16:00
Trust Through Traceability: Advancing Trustworthy Simulation Workflows for Virtual Testing
Dr. Felix Ressi - Technische Universität Graz
16:25
Summary, King-Hay Yang Young Scientist Award, Farewell
Rainer Hoffmann - carhs gmbh

 

 

Program subject to change.

The Lineup

Find out everything you want to know about our speakers

Prof. Dr. Cynthia Bir Prof. Dr. Cynthia Bir
Wayne State University
Vita Dr. Cynthia A. Bir is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University. Dr. Bir has extensive research experience in the area of human injury tolerances. Her research interests include sports injury biomechanics, ballistic impacts, blast injury, and forensic biomechanics. She has studied the effects of impacts to all regions of the body and is known world-wide for her work in this area.
Dr. Karin Brolin Dr. Karin Brolin
Lightness by Design AB
Vita Karin Brolin has worked in the field of impact biomechanics throughout her career. Brolin earned her Ph.D. in 2002 at the Royal Institute of Technology, and since then she has worked in both academia and industry on the topic of human body injury mechanisms and tolerances. For ten years she led a research group focusing on human body simulations for traffic safety and injury prevention, as Professor in Computational Impact Biomechanics at Chalmers University of Technology. Since, 2019 Dr. Brolin works as an independent consultant and researcher.
Özgür Cebeci Özgür Cebeci
IAT Ingenieurgesellschaft für Automobiltechnik mbH
Vita Özgür Cebeci has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He received a master’s degree in Computational Mechanics of Materials and Structures at the University of Stuttgart. Since 2015, he has been employed as a Project Engineer by IAT Ingenieurgesellschaft für Automobiltechnik mbH, where he worked on active and passive safety concepts using human models. Since 2020 he has been focusing on periprosthetic femur fractures within his Ph.D. project in cooperation with IAT mbH, Julius Wolf Institute, University of Waterloo. He is also actively supporting the development of models and tools used in biomechanics and human modeling.
Dr. Miguel Angel Corrales Fabre Dr. Miguel Angel Corrales Fabre
Tecnológico de Monterrey
Vita Assistant Professor Corrales leads the Computational Impact Mechanics Laboratory at Tecnológico de Monterrey. Holding a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, his expertise centers on injury biomechanics and advanced computational human modeling. He has conducted high-impact research simulating human responses to extreme impacts to enhance safety. Dr. Corrales, a John Paul Stapp Award winner, is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of engineers to protect human life.
Prof. Dr. Duane S. Cronin Prof. Dr. Duane S. Cronin
University of Waterloo
Vita Professor Cronin is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Trauma Biomechanics and Injury Prevention and leads the Neck Model Centre of Expertise for the Global Human Body Models Consortium, developing one of the most detailed and biofidelic human body models used globally by industry and academics. His research is focused on tissue-level injury prediction and injury prevention.
Dr. Caroline Deck Dr. Caroline Deck
University of Strasbourg
Vita Caroline Deck obtained her Ph.D Thesis in biomechanics in 2004 and a research manager habilitation in 2014. Since 2004 she has a permanent research position in Biomechanics at Strasbourg University. She is specialized in finite element modeling of the human head, head trauma numerical accident reconstruction and head injury criteria development as well as head protective system evaluation and optimization.
Dr.-Ing. Andre Eggers Dr.-Ing. Andre Eggers
Researcher
BASt - German Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute
Vita Andre Eggers is a researcher at BASt (German Federal Highway and Transport Research Institute) since 2006 working in the area of biomechanics, evaluation of dummies, human models and virtual testing. He studied mechanical engineering at the Technical University of Hamburg and Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University. 2013 he completed his doctorate at the Technical University of Berlin. He contributed to several European research projects like IMVITER, THORAX, ASSESS, SENIORS and OSCCAR. He is representing BASt in Euro NCAP working groups related to injury criteria and virtual testing.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Fehr Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Fehr
University of Stuttgart
Vita Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Fehr studied Mechatronics in Stuttgart and Mechanical Engineering in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. From 2006 till 2011 he was a research assistant and doctoral student at the University of Stuttgart. Afterwards, as a simulation engineer at TRW Automotive GmbH, he was in charge of the development of new mechatronic vehicle safety systems. From 2014 to 2020 Jörg Fehr was a Junior Professor at the Institute for Engineering and Computational Mechanics and Cluster of Excellence Simulation Technology (SRC SimTech) of the University of Stuttgart. Since March 2020 he has a permanent position as a deputy head of the Institute for Engineering and Computational Mechanics. One goal of his current research is the development of validation and simulation strategies for active human body models for the simulation of new mobility solutions and the speedup of the simulations using linear and nonlinear model reduction methods.
Dr. Dmitri Fokin Dr. Dmitri Fokin
Siemens Digital Industries Software
Vita Dr. Dmitry Fokin is an Application Specialist at Siemens Digital Industries Software (DISW). He holds a doctor’s degree from Kazan State University. With 25 years of experience in explicit simulation, his expertise includes crash and passive safety simulation and development of airbag simulation methods. His current work involves development of automatic explicit solver conversion programs and numerical modeling of Human Body Models.
Qiuyu Gan Qiuyu Gan
CAERI - China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co. Ltd.
Vita Qiuyu Gan is a Safety Engineer at China Automotive Engineering Research Institute (CAERI). Research focuses on computational human body model development, injury assessment methodologies, and anthropometric diversification of human body models. Qiuyu Gan is currently involved in the development of the AC-HUMs project.
Alexander Gromer Alexander Gromer
ANSYS Germany GmbH
Vita Alex Gromer holds a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Stuttgart. Since 2007, he has been employed with DYNAmore, where he has held various roles in both Germany and the United States. For more than fifteen years, he has worked in the fields of crash analysis, dummy modeling, and occupant simulation. Over the past four years, he has served as a Senior Manager at Ansys, part of Synopsys, where he is responsible for the development of human body models.
Dr. Monika Harant Dr. Monika Harant
Fraunhofer-Institut für Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik ITWM
Vita Dr. Monika Harant is a researcher at the department “Mathematics for the Digital Factory” at Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics since 2021. She received her interdisciplinary PhD in Mathematics from Heidelberg University. In her research activity at Fraunhofer ITWM, she focuses on applying optimization techniques and dynamic simulation to predict active human motion for product design and development and workplace ergonomics, e.g., analyzing the effects of driving maneuvers on the movement of the vehicle’s occupants.
Rainer Hoffmann Rainer Hoffmann
Managing Director
carhs gmbh
Vita Rainer Hoffmann has been involved in automotive safety throughout his career. After graduating from Wayne State University, he joined Porsche as a research associate in passive safety. Mr. Hoffmann advanced safety simulation during his subsequent tenure at ESI Group where he introduced new techniques like airbag simulation, numerical airbag folding and FE dummy modeling. As the head of the simulation department of PARS (now Continental Safety Engineering), Mr. Hoffmann led the R&D efforts for some of the first series production side airbag developments. In 1994 Mr. Hoffmann founded EASi Engineering GmbH, which in 2006 was renamed to carhs GmbH. He has authored numerous technical papers and has been granted German and international patents in the automotive safety field.
Dr. Christoph Klein Dr. Christoph Klein
Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH
Vita Dr. Christoph Klein is a researcher at the Virtual Vehicle Research GmbH in Graz, Austria. He is working in the group of occupant and VRU safety and his research focus are Human Body Models. He obtained his PhD at the Vehicle Safety Institute at Graz University of Technology in 2017.
Dr. Sloan Kulper Dr. Sloan Kulper
Lifespans Ltd.
Vita Sloan is a biomedical engineer with deep ties to the Silicon Valley startup community. A serial entrepreneur and inventor with multiple international patents, he has built successful startups in four countries, raising millions of US dollars in funding. Sloan has previously served as an engineering consultant to several multinational medical device companies including Stryker and CR Bard and received a B.Sc. from MIT, a Master of Industrial Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Medicine (Dept. of Orthopedics & Traumatology).
Yuki Kurakata Yuki Kurakata
Doshisha University
Vita Yuki Kurakata is a graduate student in the Laboratory of Mechanical Dynamics, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University, Japan. His research focuses on the safety design of Child Restraint Systems (CRS) to reduce injuries to young occupants in frontal vehicle crashes. He investigates occupant kinematics and injury mechanisms using finite element simulations and extracts dominant motion modes from time-series data. By analyzing the temporal evolution of these modes, he aims to establish an interpretable design optimization framework that explains why optimized designs achieve improved restraint performance.
Prof. Dr. Haiyan Li Prof. Dr. Haiyan Li
Tianjin University of Science and Technology
Vita Haiyan Li is a professor and doctoral supervisor at Tianjin University of Science and Technology in China and the director of International Research Association on Emerging Automotive Safety Technology. She holds prestigious positions including membership in the Professional Degree Education Guidance Committee of the Tianjin Municipal People’s Government Degree Committee as well as Vice Chairmanship of the Traffic Injury and Trauma Database Study Group within the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. Dr. Li and her team are engaged in research in the fields of automotive safety and injury biomechanics. She has published more than 100 academic papers.
Thanassis Lioras Thanassis Lioras
BETA CAE Systems S.A.
Vita Thanassis Lioras pursued his diploma in Mechanical Engineering at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, followed by completing his master's thesis in Computational Mechanics at the National Technical University of Athens. Since 2008, he has been working at BETA CAE Systems SA, contributing as a software developer specialized in Crash and Safety applications. Over the past few years, he has played a pivotal role in the development of tools for Human Body Models, collaborating closely with the relevant communities. Currently, he serves as a Senior Supervisor in the Crash and Safety Applications department.
Abhijeet Marekar Abhijeet Marekar
VAIVA GmbH
Vita Abhijeet Marekar is a PhD candidate at the University of Stuttgart and VAIVA GmbH, Germany. He obtained his Master's degree in Computational Mechanics from RWTH Aachen University. His master's thesis, conducted in collaboration with Volkswagen AG, focused on the extended validation of a reactive Human Body Model using volunteer experimental data. Since 2021, he has been working as a Development Engineer in the Human Body Modeling department at VAIVA GmbH. Since 2024 he started his doctoral research, which focuses on the development of hybrid human models capable of generating realistic occupant kinematics alongside photorealistic animation data. The goal of this work is to support the development of robust Driver and Occupant Monitoring Systems and enhance vehicle safety for diverse occupant groups.
Dr. Galal Mohamed Dr. Galal Mohamed
Oasys LS-DYNA Environment
Vita Dr. Galal Mohamed has over 15 years’ experience in using and supporting LS-DYNA in the aerospace and automotive industry. He has a doctorate in aerospace engineering in the field of FRP composite lightweight structures. Galal is the technical support engineer at Arup for LS-DYNA and Oasys Suite – the advanced pre- and post-processing software for LS-DYNA. He currently supports automotive clients in the UK and helps support the development of many tools and features including those for occupant positioning and human body modelling.
Krystoffer Mroz Krystoffer Mroz
Biomechanics Expert
Autoliv Research AB
Vita Krystoffer Mroz is a Biomechanics Expert at Autoliv Research in Sweden. His work focuses on computational human body modeling, injury prediction, and occupant safety assessment using the SAFER Human Body Model. His research includes reclined occupant postures, future mobility applications, and restraint system evaluation in non-conventional seating conditions. He combines simulation-based methods and experimental biomechanics to support the development of robust occupant protection systems.
Lena Pett Lena Pett
Verkehrsunfallforschung an der TU Dresden GmbH (VUFO)
Vita Lena Pett completed her Master of Science in Human Movement Analytics, specializing in Biomechanics, Motor Control and Learning, in late 2023. Since May 2024, she has been working as a Research Assistant at the Traffic Accident Research in Dresden, where her work focuses on traffic injury biomechanics, GIDAS-based crash data analysis, multivariate statistical modeling, data science, and the development of injury risk functions. Previously, she worked at the Laboratory for Biomechanics and Implant Research in Heidelberg, where she investigated the fracture behavior of coupling mechanisms in rotating-hinge knee prostheses as part of her master's thesis.
Prof. Dr. Bengt Pipkorn Prof. Dr. Bengt Pipkorn
Technical Leader Injury Prevention Methods
Volvo Cars Corporation
Vita Bengt graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Chalmers University in 1989. In 1996 a dissertation in the area of injury prevention was successfully defended. In 1996 he joined Autoliv Research where he from 2005 – 2025 was director. In 2025 he joined Volvo Cars as a Technical Leader in Injury Prevention methods. Since 2016 he is also an adjunct professor in protective systems at Chalmers University. The research interests are in the area of biomechanics, human body modelling, injury mechanisms and injury prevention.
Johannes Prinz Johannes Prinz
ika Institut für Kraftfahrzeuge - RWTH Aachen University
Vita Johannes Prinz holds a master’s degree in Automotive Engineering from RWTH Aachen University. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) at RWTH Aachen University, where he works in the Sustainability & Structural Safety group. His research focuses on occupant safety, with an emphasis on human body models.
Dr. Felix Ressi Dr. Felix Ressi
Technische Universität Graz
Vita Dr. Felix Ressi has been a researcher at the Vehicle Safety Institute of Graz University of Technology in Austria since 2016. He completed his PhD in 2024, where he conducted stochastic human body model (HBM) simulations in a generic vehicle environment to advance occupant safety research using HBMs. Currently, he manages several industry projects focused on occupant safety, working with a variety of HBMs.
Dr. Debasis Sahoo Dr. Debasis Sahoo
Volkswagen AG
Vita Dr. Debasis Sahoo is a biomechanics and occupant safety expert at Volkswagen AG, specializing in Human Body Modeling , finite element simulation, and injury biomechanics. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Strasbourg, where he focused on computational head modeling and traumatic brain injury research. His expertise spans virtual safety assessment, occupant protection, model validation, and the application of advanced biomechanical simulation techniques to support the development of safer vehicles. Experienced in multidisciplinary collaboration, research and development, regulatory compliance, and scientific communication.
Frank Schoenmakers Frank Schoenmakers
Schoenmakers Consulting
Vita Frank Schoenmakers has 30 years of experience in automotive safety. Over the course of his career, he has been active in both numerical simulations of crash tests as well as the execution of physical crash tests. He has worked at leading institutes such as TNO from 1997 till 2012 and at several Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), including Volkswagen, Porsche and Nissan. In addition, he has developed substantial expertise in accident reconstruction, including the analysis of crash dynamics and the assessment of injury severity.
Dr. Karthik Somasundaram Dr. Karthik Somasundaram
Medical College of Wisconsin
Vita Dr. Karthik Somasundaram is an injury biomechanics researcher at the Medical College of Wisconsin, with a joint appointment in Biomedical Engineering at Marquette University. His research focuses on occupant safety, crash injury mechanisms, human body modeling, and restraint biomechanics, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations including children, females, obese occupants, and reclined occupants. His work combines real-world crash data, PMHS sled testing, ATD evaluation, and computational modeling to improve vehicle safety and injury prevention.
Dr.-Ing. Anurag Soni Dr.-Ing. Anurag Soni
Product Manager
Humanetics Europe GmbH
Vita Dr. Soni is working as Product Manager at Humanetics Innovative Solutions, Inc., leading the development and management of advanced digital products that drive innovation in automotive safety and biomechanics. With over 20 years of experience in occupant safety research and product development, he has participated in the development and validation of several Human Body Models (HBMs) that are now widely used across the industry. His expertise spans HBM applications in restraint system design, with a focus on developing and implementing virtual testing solutions to improve crashworthiness and occupant protection. Passionate about innovation in digital safety solutions, Dr. Soni is committed to integrating cutting-edge technologies into occupant protection strategies.
Annika Stötzel Annika Stötzel
Volkswagen AG
Vita Annika Stötzel is a PhD candidate at Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich in collaboration with Volkswagen AG. Holding an M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rostock, Annika conducts research on biomechanical injury analysis of occupants with Finite Element Human Body Models. Her current work focuses on enhancing an existing Human Body Model by integrating three-dimensional cervical muscles to improve biofidelity and head-neck kinematics.
Dr. Aravind Sundararajan Dr. Aravind Sundararajan
Elemance, LLC
Vita Dr. Aravind Sundararajan is a Research Engineer at Elemance, LLC, where he develops methods and software for positioning, evaluating, and visualizing finite element human body models. He holds a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Tennessee and has expertise in computational biomechanics, rigid-body dynamics, computer graphics, and engineering visualization. His work focuses on making complex human body modeling and simulation workflows more efficient, intuitive, and accessible to engineers and researchers.
Mukund Thirugnanasambanthar Mukund Thirugnanasambanthar
Ansys, part of Synopsys
Vita Mukund Thirugnanasambanthar is a PhD candidate at the University of Stuttgart and Ansys, Germany. He received his Master’s degree in Computational Mechanics of Materials and Structures in 2024. His master’s thesis, conducted in collaboration with Volkswagen, focused on the application of artificial intelligence to improve the positioning and seating process of computational human body models. Since 2024, he has been contributing to the development of an active muscle system for the Ansys Hans Human Body Model. His current research focuses on hybrid 1D–3D muscle representations and physiologically inspired feedback control approaches to improve the biofidelity and predictive capabilities of finite element human body models for vehicle safety applications.
Stefano Tomassi Stefano Tomassi
Politecnico di Torino
Vita Stefano Tomassi is a PhD candidate at Politecnico di Torino (Italy). His research activity focuses on the application of Human Body Models to vehicle passive safety. He holds a Master's degree in Automotive Engineering from Politecnico di Torino; he developed his Master's thesis in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart (Germany), where he worked on the safety evaluation of cyclists through Anthropometric Test Devices and Human Body Models.
Christoph Vieler Christoph Vieler
Volkswagen AG
Vita Christoph Vieler has been serving as Head of Functional Development for Occupant Protection Front at Volkswagen AG since August 2024. In this role, Christoph Vieler is responsible for both virtual design and testing approvals. A particular focus of the position is the further development and application of human body models. Prior to this role, Christoph Vieler held various leadership positions at Volkswagen AG, including roles in virtual functional validation and testing operations. Christoph Vieler studied Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in Aerospace Engineering at the Technical University of Braunschweig and graduated in 1998 with a degree in Engineering (Dipl.-Ing.).
Philipp Thomas Wernicke Philipp Thomas Wernicke
BMW Group
Vita Philipp Wernicke studied Mechanical Engineering at Kaiserslautern University and has been working for BMW since 1999 in various roles within passive safety. He is currently responsible for biomechanics, new Anthropomorphic Test Devices, and Human Body Modeling at BMW, including their integration into regulatory and consumer testing protocols. He represents BMW and ACEA in several national and international working groups. In addition, he initiated the HBM4VT working group and serves as Secretary of the EqOP TF-3 Virtual Crash Testing task force.

Program and speaker lineup subject to changes.

Tickets

The Human Modeling Symposium by carhs.training is the specialized industry event for the development and application of digital human body models in vehicle safety. While traditional dummies are reaching their physical limits, human models are opening up new dimensions in occupant protection simulation.

Hear from leading international experts, learn about the latest research findings in biomechanics, and discover innovative software solutions for realistic human modeling—in person or online.

Date November 11 – 12, 2026
Duration 2 Days
Fee ON SITE: EUR 1,990
including:
- evening reception
- digital conference proceedings (PDF).
- access to the conference video stream live and on demand (up to 12 months after the event).

ONLINE – Live & On Demand: EUR 1,090
including:
- digital conference proceedings (PDF).
- access to the conference video stream live and on demand (up to 12 months after the event).
Location Martinushaus Aschaffenburg
Treibgasse 26
63739 Aschaffenburg, Germany
Discounts Universities and public research institutes receive a 40% discount on the registration fees.
Language English

Register for ON SITE Register for ONLINE

 

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For ON SITE participants, 19 % German VAT is charged regardless of the country of origin.
For ONLINE participants, the VAT depends on the country of origin. For EU customers with a valid VAT ID, the reverse charge mechanism applies.

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