- Project number: F 2466
- Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA)
- Status: Completed Project
Description:
Passive upper-body exoskeletons represent a potential preventive approach to support workers in physically demanding jobs. However, there is little reliable evidence on the consequences of long-term use of exoskeletons.
The project was designed to investigate the long-term use of passive exoskeletons over the period of one year. The study focused on answering questions about the strain on the musculoskeletal system.
The results of the project provide a comprehensive view of how exoskeletons effect the human body. For instance, archetype analyses have been used to determine relevant body measurements for exoskeleton design, which form the basis of appropriate adjustment ranges for adapting exoskeletons to the body.
In addition, the longitudinal survey of occupational safety and health professionals over the course of a year showed that the use of exoskeletons is highly dependent on factors such as comfort, availability and fit. In a complementary laboratory study, it was found that, in line with other studies, exoskeletons can affect muscle activity and body movement patterns during different work activities. Gait and movement patterns changed when lifting and carrying loads with an exoskeleton.
The results of the project emphasise the crucial importance of the accuracy of fit, comfort and adaptability of exoskeletons for their acceptance in the world of work. In this respect, the research project provided insights into the design and biomechanical effect of exoskeletons when used in workplaces with high physical strain. The results also emphasise the importance of a biomechanical evaluation of exoskeletons in order to better understand possible advantages and disadvantages and to improve the development of future exoskeleton models. In addition, the results can serve as a basis for future long-term biomechanical field studies with exoskeletons, especially if they are to be used in practice on a larger scale.