Publication Date
7-1-2024
Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Applied Sciences (Switzerland)
Volume
14
Issue
13
DOI
10.3390/app14135810
Abstract
Featured Application: This study explores the integration of an occupational passive back-support exoskeleton in manufacturing, demonstrating its potential to reduce physical discomfort and physical exertion and enhance ergonomic practices. It highlights the role of the exoskeleton as a proactive tool for improving occupational health and safety in industrial settings. Manual material handling (MMH) significantly impacts worker health and productivity, often leading to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) primarily in the lower back. As a novel assistive technology, exoskeletons may serve as ergonomic tools to mitigate these work-related MSDs. It is essential to examine exoskeletons from the users’ perspectives before their widespread implementation in occupational settings. This study investigates the effectiveness of a passive back-support exoskeleton (BExo) in reducing perceived physical exertion and improving ergonomic safety in a manufacturing context. Twenty-two college students were recruited to perform MMH tasks in a controlled lab environment, both with and without the BExo, followed by completing a survey questionnaire on various aspects of the BExo. Using ANOVA, the study analyzed biomechanical exertion across various body parts and tasks. The findings indicate that the BExo substantially alleviated discomfort and physical exertion in the low back, shoulders and knees, thereby enhancing an ergonomic posture and reducing fatigue. These results underscore the potential of passive exoskeletons to boost workers’ safety and efficiency, providing valuable insights for future ergonomic strategies in industrial settings.
Keywords
ergonomic interventions, manual material handling, manufacturing ergonomics, musculoskeletal disorder prevention, occupational health and safety, passive back-support exoskeleton, user acceptance
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Department
Aviation and Technology
Recommended Citation
Fatemeh Davoudi Kakhki, Armin Moghadam, Arnold Nieto, and Hardik Vora. "Evaluating the Efficacy of a Passive Exoskeleton for Enhancing Ergonomics in Manufacturing" Applied Sciences (Switzerland) (2024). https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135810
