From the idea to the user: a pragmatic multifaceted approach to testing occupational exoskeletons
Wearable Technologies,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
6
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025
Abstract
Assessment
of
occupational
exoskeletons
should
ideally
include
longitudinal
and
multistage
studies
in
real
working
scenarios
to
prove
their
effectiveness
sustainability
in-field
contexts
help
generalize
the
findings
for
specific
scenarios.
This
work
presents
a
comprehensive
assessment
methodology
implemented
as
experimental
campaign
rail
industry
workers
using
back-support
exoskeleton
(StreamEXO).
demonstrates
that
sector/task-specific
developed
address
task-specific
requirements
generates
beneficial
performance
user
experience
results.
The
this
paper
involves
collecting
data
from
nine
over
multiple
days
testing.
During
testing,
did
not
report
hindrances
operations,
with
an
acceptance
rate
86%.
In
addition,
worker
fatigue
was
reduced
by
16.9%
measured
through
metabolic
consumption,
51%
when
assessed
perceived
effort.
supports
hypothesis
tailored
meet
needs
tasks
can
produce
demonstrable
benefits
industrial
sectors.
Язык: Английский
Equivalent weight: Application of the assessment method on real task conducted by railway workers wearing a back support exoskeleton
Applied Ergonomics,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
118, С. 104278 - 104278
Опубликована: Апрель 15, 2024
Commonly
used
risk
indexes,
such
as
the
NIOSH
Lifting
Index,
do
not
capture
effect
of
exoskeletons.
This
makes
it
difficult
for
Health
and
Safety
professionals
to
rigorously
assess
benefit
devices.
The
community
requires
a
simple
method
effectiveness
back-support
exoskeleton's
(BSE)
in
possibly
reducing
ergonomic
risk.
introduced
this
work
is
termed
"Equivalent
Weight"
(EqW)
proposes
an
interpretation
built
on
delivered
through
reduced
activation
erector
spinae
(ES).
manifests
itself
apparent
reduction
lifted
load
perceived
by
wearer.
presents
pilot
study
where
practical
application
EqW
manual
material
handling
(MMH)
when
using
back
support
exoskeleton
(StreamEXO).
results
are
assessed
combining
observational
measurements
from
on-site
testing
with
five
different
workers
quantitative
measures
muscle
activity
achieved
during
laboratory
evaluation
ten
workers.
These
will
show
that
lifting,
lowering,
carrying
19
kg
StreamEXO
can
reduce
up
two
levels
(from
"high"
"low")
target
sub-tasks.
index
(LI)
was
64%
examining
specific
sub-tasks
worker's
movement
conduction.
Язык: Английский
Assessment of active back-support exoskeleton on carpentry framing tasks: Muscle activity, range of motion, discomfort, and exertion
International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
107, С. 103716 - 103716
Опубликована: Март 6, 2025
Язык: Английский
Methodology for the knowledge-based selection of occupational exoskeletons
Production Engineering,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Март 20, 2025
Язык: Английский
The perceptual and biomechanical effects of scaling back exosuit assistance to changing task demands
Scientific Reports,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
15(1)
Опубликована: Март 29, 2025
Back
exoskeletons
are
gaining
attention
for
preventing
occupational
back
injuries,
but
they
can
disrupt
movement,
a
burden
that
risks
abandonment.
Enhanced
adaptability
is
proposed
to
mitigate
burdens,
perceptual
benefits
less
known.
This
study
investigates
the
and
biomechanical
impacts
of
SLACK
suit
(non-assistive)
controller
versus
three
controllers
with
varying
adaptability:
Weight-Direction-Angle
adaptive
(WDA-ADPT)
scales
assistance
based
on
weight
boxes
using
chest-mounted
camera
machine
learning
algorithm,
movement
direction,
trunk
flexion
angle,
standard
Direction-Angle
(DA-ADPT)
Angle
(A-ADPT)
controllers.
Fifteen
participants
performed
variable
(2,
8,
14
kg)
box-transfer
task.
WDA-ADPT
achieved
highest
score
(88%)
across
survey
categories
reduced
peak
extensor
(BE)
muscle
amplitudes
by
10.1%.
DA-ADPT
had
slightly
lower
(76%)
BE
reduction
(8.5%).
A-ADPT
induced
hip
restriction,
which
could
explain
lowest
(55%)
despite
providing
largest
reductions
in
activity
(17.3%).
Reduced
scores
DA
were
explained
too
much
or
little
actual
task
demands.
These
findings
underscore
scaling
demands
improves
perception
device's
suitability.
Язык: Английский
Field assessment of active BSE: Trends over test days of subjective indicators and self-reported fatigue for railway construction workers
Heliyon,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
10(12), С. e33055 - e33055
Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2024
The
research
community
has
conducted
several
controlled
"in
-lab"
assessments
on
the
effectiveness
of
industrial
exoskeletons,
paving
way
for
their
adoption.
However,
field
testing,
focusing
ergonomics
and
user
experience,
could
serve
to
enhance
both
end-users'
awareness
address
open
doubts
concerning
true
exoskeletons.
This
study
presents
an
analysis
qualitative
data
regarding
use
back-support
exoskeletons
during
trials
in
harsh
civil
engineering
environments.
work
evaluates
StreamEXO's
(an
active
exoskeleton)
efficacy
reducing
fatigue
evolution
its
perceived
usefulness.
is
achieved
using
collection
tools,
real
scenarios
testing
over
multiple-day
trials.
Collected
shows
a
positive
correlation
between
self-reported
fatigue,
measured
four
verbal
anchors-based
Borg
CR10
scale,
exoskeleton
physically
demanding
movements.
Moreover,
scores
throughout
sessions
(90
minutes
three
nonconsecutive
days)
suggests
trend
due
adaptation
learning
curve
workers
experience.
open-ended
answers
highlights
that
physical
interaction
negative
oscillation
day
two
rise
back
third
day,
possibly
correlated
change
muscle
pattern.
main
critical
factors
affecting
comfort
experience
are
weight
balance,
body
pressure,
thermal
comfort,
which
can
strongly
affect
device
acceptance.
Язык: Английский
Multi-Exoskeleton Performance Evaluation: Integrated Muscle Energy Indices to Determine the Quality and Quantity of Assistance
Bioengineering,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
11(12), С. 1231 - 1231
Опубликована: Дек. 5, 2024
The
assessment
of
realistic
work
tasks
is
a
critical
aspect
introducing
exoskeletons
to
environments.
However,
as
the
experimental
task’s
complexity
increases,
analysis
muscle
activity
becomes
increasingly
challenging.
Thus,
it
essential
use
metrics
that
adequately
represent
physical
human–exoskeleton
interaction
(pHEI).
Muscle
usually
reduced
comparison
point
values
(average
or
maximum
contraction),
neglecting
signals’
trend.
Metrics
based
on
single
values,
however,
lack
information
about
dynamism
task
and
its
duration.
Their
meaning
can
be
uncertain,
especially
when
analyzing
complex
movements
temporally
extended
activities,
an
overall
whole
task.
This
proposes
method
integrated
EMGs
(iEMGs)
evaluate
pHEI
by
considering
dynamism,
temporal
duration,
neural
energy
associated
with
activity.
resulting
signal
highlights
phases
in
which
exoskeleton
reduces
increases
effort
required
accomplish
task,
allowing
calculation
specific
indices
quantify
exchange
terms
assistance
(AII),
resistance
(RII),
(OII).
provides
tool
enables
developers
controller
designers
receive
insights
into
performances
quality
user-robot
interaction.
application
this
provided
for
passive
two
active
back
support
exoskeletons:
Laevo,
XoTrunk,
StreamEXO.
Язык: Английский
Recent Trends in Soft Robotics for Assistive Technologies
G. Chandra,
S Jeevan,
Shantagoud Biradar
и другие.
Advances in medical technologies and clinical practice book series,
Год журнала:
2024,
Номер
unknown, С. 119 - 144
Опубликована: Ноя. 29, 2024
Wearable
healthcare
devices
have
transformed
personal
health
management
through
continuous
monitoring.
Soft
robotics,
with
its
emphasis
on
compliant
and
adaptable
systems,
offers
a
new
paradigm
for
human-machine
interaction.
This
emerging
field
holds
immense
potential
developing
wearable
that
seamlessly
integrate
the
human
body.
By
employing
soft
robotic
technologies,
we
can
create
innovative
tools
assessing
physical
ergonomics
informing
lifestyle
medical
interventions.
integration
of
robotics
monitoring
promises
to
revolutionize
preventive
personalized
medicine.
work
provides
comprehensive
overview
applications
aging
population
mobility
impaired.
examining
various
techniques,
aim
establish
solid
foundation
understanding
current
landscape
this
field.
Язык: Английский