From September 8th to 11th, CIDAUT participated in the IRCOBI 2026 Conference, held in Munich, Germany. IRCOBI is one of the leading international conferences in the field of injury biomechanics and road safety, bringing together researchers, engineers and experts from academia and industry to discuss the latest advances in biomechanics, vehicle safety and injury mechanisms.
During the conference, two CIDAUT researchers delivered oral presentations, showcasing recent research focused on the assessment of head injury mechanisms and the development of improved approaches for understanding and evaluating injury risk.
The first contribution, presented by Julio Abajo, was titled “Assessment of Head Injury Mechanisms in Side Impacts Considering Posture, Anthropometry and Loading Conditions”. The study investigates the influence of occupant posture, anthropometry and loading conditions on head injury mechanisms in side-impact scenarios. By considering these factors, the research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the variables affecting injury risk and supports the development of more representative approaches to vehicle safety assessment.
The second contribution, presented by Beatriz Juanes within the framework of the European ProtAct-Us project, was titled “Experimental Assessment of Head Injury Mechanisms in Urban Falls of Vulnerable Road Users”. The research experimentally investigates head injury mechanisms in urban fall scenarios, contributing to a better understanding of the relationship between impact conditions and head injury risk. The work forms part of the research activities carried out within ProtAct-Us and its presentation at IRCOBI was also included among the project’s dissemination activities.
Both contributions reflect CIDAUT’s ongoing research in passive safety and injury biomechanics, addressing different scenarios and factors that influence the risk and severity of head injuries. The combination of experimental research and advanced injury assessment methodologies contributes to a more detailed understanding of injury mechanisms and supports the development of future safety solutions.
Participation in IRCOBI 2026 also provided an opportunity for CIDAUT to exchange knowledge with international researchers and experts, discuss current challenges in injury biomechanics and present recent developments from its research activities in the field of road safety.