Methodologies for evaluating exoskeletons with industrial applications

Hoffmann, Niclas; Prokop, Gilbert; Weidner, Robert

doi:10.1080/00140139.2021.1970823

Cited by 33 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 88 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Results indicated that an exoskeleton significantly reduced the required mechanical energy for tasks, which can help improve worker performance by reducing fatigue [ 6 ]. Based on a series of exoskeleton-based studies, researchers have demonstrated that this assistive-based technology improves both range of motion [ 16 , 17 ] and muscle fatigue or activation [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As wearable technologies for industry advance in the realm of biomechanical task assessment, these systems will need to communicate through a layered data structure that integrates collected data throughout the workers’ environment to optimize performance and ensure worker health as a holistic system [ 46 ]. As smart factories continue to develop, advancements in industrial wearable devices will play an essential role in optimizing worker performance through those task components previously mentioned such as range of motion [ 16 , 17 ] and muscle fatigue or activation [ 16 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Wearables for Biomechanical Performance Optimization and Risk Assessment in Industrial and Sports Applications

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Wearable technologies are emerging as a useful tool with many different applications. While these devices are worn on the human body and can capture numerous data types, this literature review focuses specifically on wearable use for performance enhancement and risk assessment in industrial- and sports-related biomechanical applications. Wearable devices such as exoskeletons, inertial measurement units (IMUs), force sensors, and surface electromyography (EMG) were identified as key technologies that can be used to aid health and safety professionals, ergonomists, and human factors practitioners improve user performance and monitor risk. IMU-based solutions were the most used wearable types in both sectors. Industry largely used biomechanical wearables to assess tasks and risks wholistically, which sports often considered the individual components of movement and performance. Availability, cost, and adoption remain common limitation issues across both sports and industrial applications.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wearables for Biomechanical Performance Optimization and Risk Assessment in Industrial and Sports Applications

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Similarly, the economic burden of WMSDs in Canada is estimated to be 22 billion dollars annually [ 2 ]. With the introduction of exoskeletons to industrial workplaces, there has been a rising interest in the adoption of exoskeletons to reduce exposure to WMSDs and increase productivity [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures

Golabchi

Chao

Tavakoli

2022

Sensors

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Industrial workplaces expose workers to a high risk of injuries such as Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Exoskeletons are wearable robotic technologies that can be used to reduce the loads exerted on the body’s joints and reduce the occurrence of WMSDs. However, current studies show that the deployment of industrial exoskeletons is still limited, and widespread adoption depends on different factors, including efficacy evaluation metrics, target tasks, and supported body postures. Given that exoskeletons are not yet adopted to their full potential, we propose a review based on these three evaluation dimensions that guides researchers and practitioners in properly evaluating and selecting exoskeletons and using them effectively in workplaces. Specifically, evaluating an exoskeleton needs to incorporate: (1) efficacy evaluation metrics based on both subjective (e.g., user perception) and objective (e.g., physiological measurements from sensors) measures, (2) target tasks (e.g., manual material handling and the use of tools), and (3) the body postures adopted (e.g., squatting and stooping). This framework is meant to guide the implementation and assessment of exoskeletons and provide recommendations addressing potential challenges in the adoption of industrial exoskeletons. The ultimate goal is to use the framework to enhance the acceptance and adoption of exoskeletons and to minimize future WMSDs in industrial workplaces.

show abstract

“…In addition, clinical applications are possible for observing, e.g., therapeutical compressions [7], rehabilitation motion trainings [8,9], or (tele-)medical diagnoses and treatments [10,11]. Tailored to the application example of exoskeletons as wearable, physical support systems with multiple possible characteristics in, e.g., power supply, interface design, or path of force [12], the assessment of the system's effects on the users' workload, kinematics, and wearing comfort is often of central interest [13]. In this case, evaluators can choose from a pool of applicable methods such as surveys, modeling, and simulation, or the analyses of muscular activities or movement patterns.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Low-Cost Force Sensors Embedded in Physical Human–Machine Interfaces: Concept, Exemplary Realization on Upper-Body Exoskeleton, and Validation

Hoffmann

Ersoysal

Prokop

et al. 2022

Sensors

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In modern times, the collaboration between humans and machines increasingly rises, combining their respective benefits. The direct physical support causes interaction forces in human–machine interfaces, whereas their form determines both the effectiveness and comfort of the collaboration. However, their correct detection requires various sensor characteristics and remains challenging. Thus, this paper presents a developed low-cost sensor pad working with a silicone capsule and a piezoresistive pressure sensor. Its measurement accuracy is validated in both an isolated testing environment and a laboratory study with four test subjects (gender-balanced), and an application integrated in interfaces of an active upper-body exoskeleton. In the material-testing machine, it becomes apparent that the sensor pad generally features the capability of reliably determining normal forces on its surface until a certain threshold. This is also proven in the real application, where the measurement data of three sensor pads spatially embedded in the exoskeletal interface are compared to the data of an installed multi-axis load cell and a high-resolution flexible pressure map. Here, the consideration of three sensor pads potentially enables detection of exoskeletal support on the upper arm as well as “poor” fit conditions such as uneven pressure distributions that recommend immediate system adjustments for ergonomic improvements.

show abstract

Methodologies for evaluating exoskeletons with industrial applications

Cited by 33 publications

References 88 publications

Wearables for Biomechanical Performance Optimization and Risk Assessment in Industrial and Sports Applications

Wearables for Biomechanical Performance Optimization and Risk Assessment in Industrial and Sports Applications

A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures

Low-Cost Force Sensors Embedded in Physical Human–Machine Interfaces: Concept, Exemplary Realization on Upper-Body Exoskeleton, and Validation

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About