Exoskeletons and Exosuits: Reducing Workplace Burden and Injury Risk

Wearable robots are now a thing! Fortune 500 companies are adopting them in various processes. They are more commonly known as exoskeletons and exosuits and have are used with the aim of reducing the physical burdens on employees while minimizing the risk of work-related MSD injuries.

We may think of exoskeletons and exosuits as a future technology but they are currently enabling workers to go beyond, increasing output and reducing injury risks. Advances in ergonomics are allowing companies that have a manufacturing process, to likely find a use for this technology.

While the concept may seem like science fiction, it has been researched and tested in real-life settings. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) is an international standards organization that is spearheading the development of voluntary consensus technical standards for exoskeletons and exosuits. They have a committee dedicated to addressing issues including the safety, quality, performance, and ergonomics for these devices. The committee is also exploring the various types of exoskeletons including those systems considered passive or active, as well as those that integrate physical and cognitive functions.

The core motivation behind implementing exoskeletons and exosuits is to reduce the burden on employees, making the technology highly desirable. However, it may take years before this technology becomes commonplace due to adoption hurdles.

Despite ongoing research and development, the benefits and drawbacks of exoskeletons and exosuits remain uncertain as the technology is still in the early adopter stage. This innovation is ramping up and hasn’t been quite tested for all industries and environments just yet. Some companies are piloting these devices to better understand their use in their operations, but the findings have been given mixed results.

Strategic implementation of this technology is essential and developing a comprehensive implementation plan can help to ensure successful adoption of these devices. Companies that decide on adoption of exoskeletons and exosuits must consider factors such as employee training, maintenance, and cost-benefit in addition to applying the correct technology.

Exoskeletons and exosuits are exciting and promising technologies that have the potential to have a positive effect in the workplace by taking the burden off employees and lowering the risk of work-related injuries. However, further research and development are needed to determine their efficacy and identify any potential drawbacks. Companies should carefully consider the benefits and challenges of adopting these devices and come up with a comprehensive implementation plan to ensure the successful adoption.