Maren Finck has been awarded the Hermann Appel Prize. The graduate engineer completed her studies in orthopedics and rehabilitation technology last summer semester at the Giessen -Friedberg University of Applied Sciences. For her diploma thesis entitled "Modification of the TNO Pedestrian Model to Increase its Biofidelity," she received the second prize, worth 2,000 euros, in the vehicle development category.

In her work, the 28-year-old focused on a simulation model used in testing procedures during the development of motor vehicles. The use of human models in simulation allows for the determination of injury potential, impact positions, and impact speeds before the legally mandated tests are conducted with test objects ("dummies") and real vehicles. Such simulation methods save time and costs in development. The work was supervised by Professors Dr. Jörg Subke ( Department of Hospital and Medical Technology, Environmental and Biotechnology) and Dr. Martin Pitzer ( Department of Mechanical Engineering, Microtechnology, Energy and Thermal Engineering).

In her diploma thesis, Maren Finck examined a multi-body pedestrian model developed on behalf of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) to simulate collisions between pedestrians and vehicles. She modified the model's rigid structure to enable anatomically correct shoulder movements that correspond to human physiology. During the pedestrian-vehicle collision, a movement pattern can now be generated that, from the moment of hip impact onward, is much more realistic than in the original model.

Maren Finck wrote her diploma thesis at EASi Engineering GmbH in Alzenau. She now works at this company as a project engineer, developing simulation models for occupant protection.

The Hermann Appel Prize has been awarded annually since 2004 to young engineers who have distinguished themselves through outstanding work in the fields of electronics, powertrain, and vehicle development. The engineering company Auto und Verkehr, as the prize's sponsor, aims to strengthen the collaborative partnership between industry and academia.