Industrial exoskeletons: Need for intervention effectiveness research

Area of Science:

• Occupational Safety and Health
• Human Factors Engineering
• Ergonomics

Background:

• Industrial exoskeletons are emerging technologies designed to augment worker physical capabilities, particularly for the lower back and upper extremities.
• These devices show potential in mitigating work-related musculoskeletal disorders associated with heavy lifting and tool use.
• However, the safety and health implications of wearing exoskeletons are not yet well-understood, with limited research involving small participant groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the need for comprehensive research into the safety and health effects of industrial exoskeletons.
• To identify key areas for future investigation, including benefits, risks, and adoption barriers.
• To explore the classification of exoskeletons as personal protective equipment and the advancement of safety standards.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on industrial exoskeleton safety and health.
• Identification of knowledge gaps in current research.
• Proposal for prospective interventional studies across diverse industry sectors.

Main Results:

• Current research on exoskeleton safety and health is limited in scope and participant numbers.
• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the long-term effects and risks associated with exoskeleton use.
• Widespread implementation requires further evidence from robust, sector-specific studies.

Conclusions:

• Prospective interventional studies are crucial to evaluate the safety and health effectiveness of industrial exoskeletons.
• Further research should address benefits, risks, adoption barriers, and standardization.
• Occupational safety and health communities must prioritize research and consensus standards for industrial exoskeleton use.