We recently conducted a wind resistance test to compare how well the sofubi (vinyl) and Cortex versions of Smart Doll can remain standing under wind pressure.
The sofubi Smart Doll toppled immediately when exposed to 9 meters per second (m/s) of wind, while the Cortex Smart Doll stayed upright—even at 20 m/s, the maximum output of our blower. For context, 20 m/s (about 72 km/h or 45 mph) approaches gale-force wind on the Beaufort scale.
This wasn’t a full-scale engineering wind tunnel test—but with a consistent setup using a blower and anemometer, we were able to observe and verify Cortex’s significantly improved standing stability under high wind pressure.
Part of this stability comes down to structure. Sofubi parts are designed to flex and wrap around the internal frame, but Cortex shell components are screwed directly into place. This creates a more rigid chassis that resists deformation and distributes force more evenly through the body.
The material also plays a key role. Cortex shells are made from ABS—a rigid, high-impact plastic known for its dimensional stability. Compared to vinyl, ABS doesn’t flex under pressure as easily, which helps reduce wobble and absorb external forces like wind without compromising posture.
We also designed the soles of the Cortex feet to be flatter and broader. A wider contact area increases static friction with the surface and helps disperse force more evenly—both factors that contribute to better balance when standing unaided.
While the Cortex design includes vent-like openings, these are aesthetic features and do not function as aerodynamic vents. For vents to significantly reduce wind resistance or improve stability, they would need to be strategically placed and engineered to channel airflow through the body in a way that reduces pressure buildup.
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