Kajang, 28 August 2015 – Technology keeps evolving particularly with the demand of an industry. In the vehicle industry, crash testing the safety level of a vehicle is pertinent. In the New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) crash test procedure, Kyowa’s data logger is one of the technologies that provide significant information when performing a crash test. With that, it is no surprise when Kyowa Electronic Instruments Co., Ltd. based in Japan decided to invest RM 6 million of their load cell wall technology to Provisional Crase Crash Centre (PC3) of Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) located in Malacca to perform crash test for ASEAN NCAP. To acknowledge this investment by Kyowa, ASEAN NCAP with the collaboration of MIROS PC3 had organized the Kyowa Technology Day from 18 to 20 August 2015 in Malacca. Throughout these three days, a series of crashes was performed with the highlight of the event was a crash demonstration of Proton Prevé against the newly setup load cell wall. Kyowa’s Managing Director, Mr. Tanaka led the overall team, while Mr. Nobou Oinuma, Director of Kyowa Electronic’s Engineering Division administered the setting up of the load cell wall at MIROS PC3.

ASEAN NCAP Chairman, Prof. Dr. Wong Shaw Voon, when met said that ASEAN NCAP has made huge progress from the time it was initially established in 2012. “At that time MIROS PC3, the crash test lab, was just built and we not only have minimal equipment but we also have limited knowledge, particularly on crash testing procedure. But our staff was eager to learn as this is a new challenge for them. And with the support from Global NCAP and now Kyowa, we now have the knowledge and the latest technology to carry out collision tests.”

When asked regarding prospects that can be tested by ASEAN NCAP in the future, Wong said ASEAN NCAP should take heed of road safety situation currently prevails in ASEAN countries. Statistically, motorcycles make up the highest number of vehicle involved in road accidents. Therefore, ASEAN NCAP needs to be proactive in performing crash tests involving motorcycles in order to promote crash avoidance technology fitment in vehicles. Such fitment will help to avoid collision with a motorcycle.

Prior to the instalment of the new load cell wall, tests were done by crashing a vehicle against a special wall, which simulates another vehicle. Hence, data were obtained from only one vehicle; the crashed vehicle. However, with the new load cell wall, ASEAN NCAP will be able to obtain impact data from both vehicles. With each detailed information obtained from the load cell wall, ASEAN NCAP will be able to help car manufacturers to improve their products so as to ensure the safety of motorists. Result of the demo crash test will be released at ASEAN Automotive Safety Forum 2015/003 in Bandung, Indonesia this 20–22 September 2015.