Meet Athena: A Realistic Computer Model of a Child

Abstract

Have you ever wondered how doctors and scientists test new medical devices or study how the body works? They often use computer models, which are like digital dolls that simulate the human body. But did you know that there are only few computer models of children, especially of girls? That is where Athena comes in. Athena is a brand-new computer model of a healthy 3.5-year-old girl’s body, made using real-life pictures of her brain and organs. We even had doctors check to make sure the model was accurate. Athena is so detailed that she has 267 parts, including 50 components of her brain alone. Scientists can use Athena to test the safety of new medical devices or to study how electricity affects children’s bodies, for example. And best of all, Athena will be free for everyone to use! So, meet Athena—and see what amazing things we can learn about the human body!