<p>This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the mechanical behavior and energy absorption characteristics of a newly developed spider-shaped cellular structure (SCS). The in-plane mechanical response of the SCS architecture is examined through detailed numerical simulations and validated through quasi-static compression experiments conducted along both the x and y principal in-plane directions. The results reveal that the SCS model exhibits superior specific energy absorption (SEA) when loaded along the x-direction compared to the y-direction. A comparative analysis with several established cellular architectures from the literature demonstrates that the proposed design offers enhanced energy absorption performance. Furthermore, a parametric analysis is conducted to evaluate the influence of unit cell count and wall thickness on the mechanical performance of the SCS. It is observed that an increase in wall thickness significantly improves SEA performance. Beyond quasi-static conditions, the dynamic crushing behavior of SCS is also explored across low, medium, and high velocity regimes, and a theoretical expression for the plateau stress is also established. Additionally, the application of the SCS architecture is explored in the automotive field as a side-door intrusion beam, highlighting its suitability for lightweight, energy-absorbing systems in impact protection and structural applications.</p>