Robo–mate: Exoskeleton to Enhance Industrial Production

Stadler, Konrad S.; Elspass, Wilfried J.; Venn, Hans Wernher van de

doi:10.1142/9789814623353_0006

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Constructing a device that would provide sufficient external supportive torque and not cause any sort of hindrance or discomfort to the user is likely impossible. State-of-the-art exoskeletons are often bulky and heavy [ 3 , 18 ], which is likely the cause for reported discomfort and hindrance [ 5 , 13 ]. Researchers have lately acknowledged such issues and started to include these aspects into consideration when conducting end-user testing [ 5 , 12 , 13 , 16 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Subjective Responses of Low Back Pain Patients and Asymptomatic Controls to Use of Spinal Exoskeleton during Simple Load Lifting Tasks: A Pilot Study

Kozinc

Babič

Šarabon

2020

IJERPH

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Spinal exoskeletons have been suggested as an approach for the prevention and rehabilitation of occupational low back pain (LBP). While the state-of-the-art exoskeletons were shown to substantially unload the back, user acceptance is still limited. Perceived discomfort and restriction of freedom of movement are commonly reported. In this pilot study, we explored the differences in subjective responses and user impressions to using passive spinal exoskeleton during a set of simple lifting tasks between LBP patients (n = 12) and asymptomatic individuals (n = 10). Visual analog scales (0–10) were used for all assessments. Overall, the results showed mostly similar responses or slightly more positive responses to the exoskeleton from LBP patients. Most notably, the LBP patients reported a statistically significant (p = 0.048) higher willingness to use the device daily (5.36 ± 4.05) compared to the control group (2.00 ± 1.85) and also gave the device a higher overall grade (6.58 ± 1.98 vs. 4.30 ± 2.26; p = 0.021). This study has demonstrated that individuals with current LBP responded more favorably to the use of the spinal exoskeleton for simple lifting tasks. This implies that current exoskeletons could be appropriate for LBP rehabilitation, but not preventions, as pain-free individuals are less willing to use such devices. Future studies should explore whether different exoskeleton designs could be more appropriate for people with no LBP issues.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Subjective Responses of Low Back Pain Patients and Asymptomatic Controls to Use of Spinal Exoskeleton during Simple Load Lifting Tasks: A Pilot Study

Kozinc

Babič

Šarabon

2020

IJERPH

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“…Costs can be calculated and compared with other technical systems. Impacts on productivity and quality are researched in the following studies [21,22]. Time measurements are defined in [22].…”

Section: Holistic Impacts By Integrating Exoskeleton Technology In Mamentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodology of Employing Exoskeleton Technology in Manufacturing by Considering Time-Related and Ergonomics Influences

Dahmen

Constantinescu

2020

Applied Sciences

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This article presents a holistic methodology for planning, optimization and integration of exoskeletons for human-centered workplaces, with a focus on the automotive industry. Parts of current and future challenges in this industry (i.e., need of flexible manufacturing but as well having demographic change) are the motivation for this article. This challenges should be transformed in positive effectiveness by integrating of exoskeletons regarding this article. Already published research work from authors are combined in a form of summary, to get all relevant knowledge, and especially results, in a coherent and final context. This article gives interested newcomers, as well as experienced users, planners and researchers, in exoskeleton technology an overview and guideline of all relevant parts: from absolute basics beginning until operative usage. After fixing the motivation with resulting three relevant research questions, an introduction to the exoskeleton technology and to the current challenges in planning and optimizing the ergonomics and efficiency in manufacturing are given. A first preselection method (called ExoMatch) is presented to find the most suitable exoskeleton for workplacesm by filtering and matching all the important analyzed attributes and characteristics under consideration to all relevant aspects from environments. The next section treats results regarding an analysis of influencing factors by integrating exoskeletons in manufacturing. In particular, ergonomic-related and production-process-related (especially time-management) influences identified and researched in already published works are discussed. The next important step is to present a roadmap as a guideline for integration exoskeleton. This article gives relevant knowledge, methodologies and guidelines for optimized integrating exoskeleton for human-centered workplaces, under consideration of ergonomics- and process-related influences, in a coherent context, as a result and summary from several already published research work.

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“…Human walking is dynamic and diverse, and for able-bodied persons, the exoskeleton needs capability to cope with this diversity for appropriate assistance. For obvious acceptability of exoskeleton suites in the industries, the exoskeleton should be capable of assisting its wearer to walk normally without impeding the wearer’s natural movement nor forcing the wearer into unintended motion [ 9 ]. A control technology that will enable the exoskeleton to learn or predict a wearer’s movement for synchronous walking assistance can be seen as one of the important requirement in exoskeleton technology for industrial manual handling applications [ 10 – 12 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exoskeleton robot control for synchronous walking assistance in repetitive manual handling works based on dual unscented Kalman filter

et al. 2018

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Prolong walking is a notable risk factor for work-related lower-limb disorders (WRLLD) in industries such as agriculture, construction, service profession, healthcare and retail works. It is one of the common causes of lower limb fatigue or muscular exhaustion leading to poor balance and fall. Exoskeleton technology is seen as a modern strategy to assist worker’s in these professions to minimize or eliminate the risk of WRLLDs. Exoskeleton has potentials to benefit workers in prolong walking (amongst others) by augmenting their strength, increasing their endurance, and minimizing high muscular activation, resulting in overall work efficiency and productivity. Controlling exoskeleton to achieve this purpose for able-bodied personnel without impeding their natural movement is, however, challenging. In this study, we propose a control strategy that integrates a Dual Unscented Kalman Filter (DUKF) for trajectory generation/prediction of the spatio-temporal features of human walking (i.e. joint position, and velocity, and acceleration) and an impedance cum supervisory controller to enable the exoskeleton to follow this trajectory to synchronize with the human walking. Experiment is conducted with four subjects carrying a load and walking at their normal speed- a typical scenario in industries. EMG signals taken at two muscles: Right Vastus Intermedius (on the thigh) and Right Gastrocnemius (on the calf) indicated reduction in muscular activation during the experiment. The results also show the ability of the control system to predict spatio-temporal features of the pilots’ walking and to enable the exoskeleton to move in concert with the pilot.

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Robo–mate: Exoskeleton to Enhance Industrial Production

Cited by 14 publications

References 14 publications

Comparison of Subjective Responses of Low Back Pain Patients and Asymptomatic Controls to Use of Spinal Exoskeleton during Simple Load Lifting Tasks: A Pilot Study

Comparison of Subjective Responses of Low Back Pain Patients and Asymptomatic Controls to Use of Spinal Exoskeleton during Simple Load Lifting Tasks: A Pilot Study

Methodology of Employing Exoskeleton Technology in Manufacturing by Considering Time-Related and Ergonomics Influences

Exoskeleton robot control for synchronous walking assistance in repetitive manual handling works based on dual unscented Kalman filter

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