Assessing the ethical, social and psychological risks of active and passive exoskeletons in the construction industry: trust, productivity and stress levels

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 7, 2025

Purpose Exoskeletons have the potential to alleviate musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), increase productivity and ultimately reduce construction project costs, but concerns about their ethical, social psychological risks for industry are unknown. This paper investigates these implications exoskeleton acceptance. Design/methodology/approach Participants performed masonry tasks without an with active passive exoskeleton. Using descriptive inferential statistics, associated exoskeletons, as well trust levels, were assessed. Objective data procured determine stress levels while subjective included ethical of exoskeletons. Findings The findings show that lack informed consent procuring sensitive health is important consideration when using Regarding risks, unequal access sharing costs major concerns. Furthermore, revealed statistical differences between exoskeletons in terms certain risks. participants believed more than results also a strong positive relationship levels. indicated both induce relatively moderate enhance productivity, compared no condition. Originality/value study one few empirical investigations on which can facilitate adoption mitigating MSDs industry.

Language: Английский

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Elastic textile-based wearable modulation of musculoskeletal load: A comprehensive review of passive exosuits and resistance clothing

Wearable Technologies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Elastic textiles play a critical role in passive wearable solutions for musculoskeletal load management both exosuits and resistance clothing. These textiles, based on their ability to stretch retract, can exhibit ambivalence load-modulating effects when used occupational, rehabilitation, exercise, or everyday activity settings. While garments may appear similar design, they have opposing goals: reduce the case of increase it Despite this intrinsic connection, these two approaches not been extensively linked together. This review aims fill gap by examining common distinct principles elastic clothing, shedding light interactions complex dynamics systems. The effectiveness different designs that mimic function clothing workload strength training are critically reviewed. Current challenges practical implementation opportunities improve issues, such as preload, thermal comfort, skin friction, donning doffing also highlighted.

Language: Английский

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Assessment of active back-support exoskeleton on carpentry framing tasks: Muscle activity, range of motion, discomfort, and exertion

International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 107, P. 103716 - 103716

Published: March 6, 2025

Language: Английский

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Effects of a lumbar exoskeleton that provides two traction forces on spinal loading and muscles

Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: March 21, 2025

In workplaces with prolonged or repetitive stooping, disc herniation due to excessive pressure at the lumbar L5/S1 joints has been a difficult condition prevent and treat in field of lower back pain. Previous research on exoskeletons mainly focused impact assistive torque muscle activation, overlooking fact that providing is not optimal approach when bending over low load. Instead, using traction force reduce more adaptable method mitigate risk intervertebral herniation. this paper, novel exoskeleton mechanism proposed. The principle similar lever arranged torso, which provides two types forces single compression spring support moment higher performance. Subsequently, kinetic simulation model covering passive physiologic tissues stiffness was developed determine range for given load, predict activation forces. Eight subjects were invited wear stooping lifting tests under extreme loads, myoelectric sensors measure activation. results confirm effectively reduces without additionally increasing study an alternative idea design adapted light load stooping.

Language: Английский

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Low Back Exoskeletons in Industry 5.0: From Machines to Perceiving Co-Pilots—A State-of-the-Art Review

Sensors, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 25(7), P. 1958 - 1958

Published: March 21, 2025

This manuscript presents an updated review of back exoskeletons for occupational use, with a particular focus on sensor technology as key enabler intelligent and adaptive support. The study aims to identify barriers adoption explore design characteristics which align these systems the Industry 5.0 paradigm, where machines function collaborative co-pilots alongside humans. We propose structured pipeline analyze 32 across multiple dimensions, including design, actuation, control strategies, networks, intelligence. Additionally, we eight simulation environments support early stages exoskeleton development. Special emphasis is placed technology, highlighting its critical role in enhancing adaptability Our findings reveal that while 39.39% accommodate asymmetric activities, kinematic compatibility remains challenge. Furthermore, only 33.33% incorporated features, just one being capable adapting response based poor posture or real-time human-machine interaction feedback. limited integration advanced sensors decision-making capabilities constrains their potential dynamic Open questions remain high-level decision making, enhanced environmental awareness, development generalizable methods integrating data into strategies.

Language: Английский

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Examining the Impacts of Wearable Robots in Mitigating Musculoskeletal Disorders Amongst Masons

Lecture notes in civil engineering, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 783 - 792

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Evaluating Back-Support Exoskeletons in Simulated Construction-Relevant Tasks: Effects on Task Completion Time and Aspects of Usability

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Fall risk assessment of active back-support exoskeleton-use for construction work using foot plantar pressure distribution

Advanced Engineering Informatics, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 62, P. 102626 - 102626

Published: June 7, 2024

Language: Английский

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Passive and Active Exoskeleton Solutions: Sensors, Actuators, Applications, and Recent Trends

Sensors, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(21), P. 7095 - 7095

Published: Nov. 4, 2024

Recent advancements in exoskeleton technology, both passive and active, are driven by the need to enhance human capabilities across various industries as well provide increased safety for worker. This review paper examines sensors, actuators, mechanisms, design, applications of active exoskeletons, providing an in-depth analysis technologies. The main scope this is examine recent developments their different fields identify research opportunities field. exoskeletons used research-level prototypes types. Further, it commonly sensors actuators with advantages disadvantages applicable types exoskeletons. Communication protocols also discussed challenges faced.

Language: Английский

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Biomechanical Consequences of Using Passive and Active Back-Support Exoskeletons during Different Manual Handling Tasks

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 20(15), P. 6468 - 6468

Published: July 28, 2023

The aim of this study was to assess, for both men and women, the consequences using different back-support exoskeletons during various manual material tasks (MMH) on activity back muscles trunk kinematics. Fifteen fourteen women performed MMH involving a 15 kg load (a static task, symmetric lifting an asymmetric task). Four exoskeleton conditions were tested: without equipment (CON) with three passive (P-EXO), active (A-EXO1 A-EXO2)). electromyographic lower trapezius (TZ), latissimus dorsi (LD), erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF) recorded. Trunk kinematics evaluated provide average thoracic, lumbar, hip angles. use P-EXO decreased LD, GM, BF from −12 −27% (p < 0.01) compared CON, mostly task. A-EXO1 A-EXO2 reduced muscle all studied −7 −62% CON −10 −52% 0.005) P-EXO, independently modalities experimental tasks. A statistical interaction between sex only observed in few rare conditions. Occupational can reduce extensor no being used. However, these reductions modulated by technology (passive vs. active), design (weight anthropomorphism), task (static dynamic). Our results also showed that could modify

Language: Английский

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