The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has completed its first ‘Far-Side Sled Test’, placing it in line with Euro NCAP 2026 safety protocols. The far-side sled test has been designed to evaluate where passengers move within the cabin of a car after a side impact. “This achievement further strengthens ARAI’s commitment to supporting the Government of India’s ‘Design and Validate in India’ initiative,” the institution said.
ARAI ‘Far-Side Sled Test’
This new test expands ARAI’s NCAP sled-testing capabilities
The ‘Far-Side Sled Test’ is part of Euro NCAP’s 2026 safety protocols. It tracks the movement of occupants as they physically move post a side-impact collision, helping evaluate the effectiveness of occupant-restraint systems like seats, safety belts and airbags. Furthermore, by being compliant with Euro NCAP’s sled tests, manufacturers can meet stringent European safety benchmarks for vehicle safety systems through controlled crash simulations.
When combined with its other established sled tests like knee mapping, Vehicle Test Configuration (VTC) and whiplash protection, ARAI’s new-car safety assessments can now provide improved crashworthiness and higher safety ratings, as per the Automotive Research Association of India. This new achievement also underscores the importance of “reducing dependence on overseas facilities and accelerating indigenous innovation, by enabling global-standard safety development and validation within the country,” ARAI highlighted.
The Automotive Research Association of India also has its own computer-aided engineering (CAE) facility. This provides auto manufacturers the option of conducting a variety of comprehensive simulations and testing.
Saptarshi Mondal
Sergius Barretto
Hormazd Sorabjee
Viraaj Bhatnagar
