Field report
Since the beginning of the third quarter of 2020, we have been testing passive exoskeletons in collaboration with both our warehouse staff and our drivers to relieve daily physical strain. The impetus for this test series was the consideration of how to offer employees the greatest possible support in their work.
The exoskeleton offers the employee a relieving and joint-protecting support during heavy lifting movements and thus prevents consequential health damage. It corrects the posture to protect sensitive body regions such as the spine from damage caused by incorrect loading. In contrast to active exoskeletons, passive models are characterized by lower complexity and weight, as they do not contain any drive elements. Support for employee movement is achieved through an intelligent interaction of cables, shock absorbers, and tension and compression springs, which is optimized to mitigate peak forces. Loads are converted into energy through clever interception and reduced by up to 40 percent, depending on the system.
In our test series, we rely on exoskeletons from the company Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA based in Duderstadt. The goal is the permanent use of the systems in our company. Here, we are testing three different models with three different target mechanisms.
The Paexo Back serves to relieve the back and spine, the Paexo Shoulder supports the upper body with arm and shoulder loads up to the overhead area and the Paexo Soft Back targets the lower back.
CONCLUSION
Our conclusion so far underlines the intended uses and target areas advertised by the manufacturer. Further test series are planned for 2021, primarily in unloading on site by driving personnel as well as loading and unloading in our distribution centers with optimized exoskeleton systems.
To be continued ...
