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. 2023 Jul-Oct;11(3-4):94-107.
doi: 10.1080/24725838.2023.2295859. Epub 2023 Dec 27.

Integrating Exosuit Capabilities into Clothing to Make Back Relief Accessible to Workers Unserved by Existing Exoskeletons: Design and Preliminary Evaluation

Derek N Wolf  1 , Shimra J Fine  1 , Chad C Ice  1 , Paul R Slaughter  1 , Katherine M Rodzak  1 , Karl E Zelik  2
Affiliations

Integrating Exosuit Capabilities into Clothing to Make Back Relief Accessible to Workers Unserved by Existing Exoskeletons: Design and Preliminary Evaluation

Derek N Wolf et al. IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors. 2023 Jul-Oct.

Abstract

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSWe developed a method for integrating back-assist exosuit capabilities into regular clothing to make musculoskeletal relief accessible to more workers. We demonstrated proof-of-concept that this uniform-integrated exosuit can be effective and usable. Existing occupational exosuits are standalone accessories worn on top of a user's clothing and are not suitable for all workers. Our newly developed sub-class of exosuit could be beneficial to workers who alternate between bending, lifting, and sitting tasks, or to those in customer- or patient-facing jobs where it is important for wearable technology to be discreet.

Keywords: Workwear; back pain; lifting assistance; wearable technology; work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Plain language summary

Background Occupational exos (comprising both rigid exoskeletons and soft exosuits) are emerging technologies designed to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Existing occupational exos are standalone accessories worn on top of a user’s clothing.Purpose Our objective was to determine whether back-assist exosuit capabilities could be integrated into regular clothing in an effective and usable manner, which could make musculoskeletal relief accessible to more workers.Methods We redesigned an accessory exosuit so it could integrate into a standard-issue U.S. Army uniform. The uniform-integrated exosuit prototype was low-profile (protruding <30 mm from the body), lightweight (adding 800 grams to the uniform), and could be donned/doffed like normal clothing. We demonstrated the effectiveness and usability of the prototype in lab testing (N = 5) and in a case study (N = 1) with a U.S. Army Soldier.Results In lab testing, the exosuit provided 18-27 Nm of torque about the low back during lifting. Assistance could be engaged or disengaged one-handed in about half a second, and the exosuit did not restrict a user’s natural range of motion or cause discomfort. The case study Soldier who performed operationally relevant tasks reported that he was satisfied with the weight, comfort, range of motion, and lifting assistance of the prototype.Conclusions This work demonstrated proof-of-concept that integrating back-assist exosuit capabilities into standard workwear can be effective and usable. We added lifting assistance with little change to the form factor, weight, range of motion, or comfort of the standard uniform. This new sub-class of exosuit could be beneficial to workers who alternate between bending, lifting, and sitting (e.g., driving) tasks, or to those in customer- or patient-facing jobs where it is important for wearable technology to be discreet.

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