Industrial exoskeletons from bench to field: Human-machine interface and user experience in occupational settings and tasks

Abstract

ObjectiveWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are considered nowadays the most serious issue in the Occupational Health and Safety field and industrial exoskeletons appear to be a new approach to addressing this medical burden. A systematic review has been carried out to analyze the real-life data of the application of exoskeletons in work settings considering the subjective responses of workers.MethodsThe review was registered on PROSPERO. The literature search and its report have been performed following the PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus.ResultsTwenty-four original studies were included in the literature review; 42% of the papers retrieved included automobilist industry workers, 17% of the studies evaluated the use of exoskeletons in logistic facilities, and 17% of articles involved healthcare. The remaining six papers recruited farmers, plasterers, wasting collectors, construction workers, and other workmen. All the papers selected tested the use of passive exoskeletons, supporting upper arms or back. Usability, perceived comfort, perceived exertion and fatigue, acceptability and intention to use, occupational safety and health, and job performance and productivity were the main topic analyzed.ConclusionExoskeletons are not a fix-all technology, neither for workers nor for job tasks; they tend to show more of their potential in static activities, while in dynamic tasks, they can obstacle regular job performance. Comfort and easiness of use are the key factors influencing the user's experience. More research is needed to determine the most effective and safe ways to implement exoskeleton use in occupational settings.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=275728, identifier CRD42021275728.

Biomechanical Effects of Using a Passive Exoskeleton for the Upper Limb in Industrial Manufacturing Activities: A Pilot Study

“…According to the most recent review of field studies [ 10 ], usability was moderate to high for all types of EXO-ASE evaluated. However, the overall acceptance of exoskeletons in the occupational context is a complex phenomenon related to technology-induced self-efficacy beliefs, which in turn are modulated by the ability to reduce effort and the attributed utility of the device [ 47 ].…”

“…According to the review by Baldassarre et al (2022) [ 10 ], some authors report an increase in the perceived discomfort level by workers during exoskeleton use, especially in dynamic tasks. This effect is associated with friction, pressure, or thermal discomfort caused by the device under specific working conditions.…”

“…In general, results from biomechanical analysis associated with the use of exoskeletons should contribute to advancing standards in occupational health and safety, promoting the development and implementation of specific tools for risk assessment associated with the use of such devices in work settings. The detection and monitoring of clinical and subjective aspects should proceed in tandem with the involvement of occupational physicians to establish targeted and effective adoption programs for exoskeletons in productive contexts, including identifying any unsuitable workers or tasks not suitable for their use [ 10 ].…”

“…Prompt preventive measures in the workplace can have a lasting impact on shoulder health, and, in this direction, the adoption of EXOs in industrial settings has gained momentum. However, its implementation is constrained by regulatory gaps, insufficient long-term efficacy evidence, and concerns about potential adverse events [ 9 , 10 ]. On the other hand, EXO design has improved, with lightweight, slim, and user-friendly devices now available on the market.…”

Objective and subjective evaluation of a passive low-back exoskeleton during simulated logistics tasks

“…The existing evidence suggests that exoskeletons can potentially reduce WMSD risk. Further, the studies revealed that exoskeletons tend to show more of their potential in static activities, while in dynamic tasks, they can hinder regular job performance (Baldassarre et al, 2022 ). Thus, more research is required to understand how exoskeletons can be adapted to different tasks and work environments.…”