Typically, when the term exoskeleton is used in regards to human performance it brings to mind the exoskeletons, such as Lockheed Martin's HULC that have been developed for soldiers to help carry loads up to 200 pounds over longer distances with less fatigue, similar to this unit.
These units have even been the inspiration for exoskeletons for people with spinal cord injuries, such as the Ekso which has been designed to help people with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk. Ekso units are being tested at locations such as the Kessler Foundation and various rehabilitation facilities around the country.
But Noonee, a Swiss robotics startup, has rethought the concept of exoskeletons with their new exoskeleton for their assembly line workers. Instead of an exoskeleton that is designed to help lift loads, carry greater loads over distances, or take the place of muscles that can no longer provide the necessary strength for standing and walking, they have designed an exoskeleton to help employees sit. It's an interesting proposition as the thought is that by taking off the load associated with standing, workers will experience less fatigue over the course of a work day leading to greater productivity and less days lost from work due to injury or fatigue. Initially, the units will be tested at factories owned by BMW and Audi in Europe. It should be interesting to see how this affects both productivity and injury rates over time.
