Musculoskeletal disorders constitute the leading work-related health issue. Mechanical loading of the lower back contributes as a major risk factor and is prevalent in many tasks performed in logistics. The study aimed to compare acute effects of exoskeletons with different functional mechanisms in a logistic task. Twelve young, healthy individuals participated in the study. Five exoskeletons with different functional mechanisms were tested in a logistic task, consisting of lifting, carrying, and lowering a 13 kg box. By using electromyography (EMG), mean muscle activities of four muscles in the trunk were analyzed. Additionally, kinematics by task completion time and range of motion (RoM) of the major joints and segments were investigated. A main effect was found forMusculus erector spinae,Musculus multifidus, andMusculus latissimus dorsishowing differences in muscle activity reductions between exoskeletons. Reduction in ES mean activity compared to baseline was primarily during lifting from ground level. The exoskeletons SoftExo Lift and Cray X also showed ES mean reduction during lowering the box. Prolonged task duration during the lifting phase was found for the exoskeletons BionicBack, SoftExo Lift, and Japet.W. Japet.W showed a trend in reducing hip RoM during that phase. SoftExo Lift caused a reduction in trunk flexion during the lifting phase. A stronger trunk inclination was only found during lifting from the table for the SoftExo Lift and the Cray X. In conclusion, muscle activity reductions by exoskeleton use should not be assessed without taking their designed force paths into account to correctly interpret the effects for long-term injury prevention.

In recent years, the trend for implementing exoskeletons in industrial workplaces has significantly increased. A variety of systems have been developed to support different tasks, body parts, and movements. As no standardized procedure for evaluating industrial exoskeletons is currently available, conducted laboratory and field tests with different setups and methodologies aim to provide evidence of, e.g., the support for selected isolated activities. Accordingly, a comparison between exoskeletons and their workplace applicability proves to be challenging. In order to address this issue, this paper presents a generic method and modular test course for evaluating industrial exoskeletons: First, the seven-phase model proposes steps for the comprehensive evaluation of exoskeletons. Second, the test course comprises a quick check of the system’s operational requirements as well as workstations for an application-related evaluation of exoskeletons’ (short-term) effects. Due to the vastness and heterogeneity of possible application scenarios, the test course offers a pool of modular configurable stations or tasks, and thus enables a guided self-evaluation for different protagonists. Finally, several exemplary exoskeletons supporting varying body regions passed the test course to evaluate and reflect its representativity and suitability as well as to derive discernible trends regarding the applicability and effectiveness of exoskeleton types.

The fifth industrial revolution and the accompanying influences of digitalization are presenting enterprises with significant challenges. Regardless of the trend, however, humans will remain a central resource in future factories and will continue to be required to perform manual tasks. Against the backdrop of, e.g., societal and demographic changes and skills shortage, future-oriented support technologies such as exoskeletons represent a promising opportunity to support workers. Accordingly, the increasing interconnection of human operators, devices, and the environment, especially in human-centered work processes, requires improved human-machine interaction and further qualification of support systems to smart devices. In order to meet these requirements and enable exoskeletons as a future-proof technology, this article presents a framework for the future-oriented qualification of exoskeletons, which reveals potential in terms of user-individual and context-dependent adaptivity of support systems. In this context, a framework has been developed, allowing different support situations to be classified based on elementary functions. Using these support function dependencies and characteristics, it becomes possible to describe adaptive system behavior for human-centered support systems such as exoskeletons as a central aspect. For practical illustration, it is shown for an exemplary active exoskeleton using the example of user-individuality and context-specificity how the support characteristics of exoskeletons in the form of different support characteristics can bring about a purposeful and needs-based application for users and can contribute valuably to design future workplaces.

Physische Unterstützungssysteme wie Exoskelette gewinnen zunehmend an Bedeutung für Industriearbeitsplätze. Dieser Beitrag stellt diesbezüglich eine Vorgehensweise für AnwenderInnen vor, der eine Verwendung von Leitmerkmalen für Unterstützungssituationen zur Ermittlung der Eignung von Exoskeletten nutzt. Beschrieben wird eine nutzerzentrierte Herangehensweise für den Implementierungsprozess von Exoskeletten, welche eine kritische Reflexion über die Eignung eines Exoskeletts auf Basis von Leitmerkmalen fördern soll.

Despite the advancing trends in automation, workers in industrial workplaces often face repetitive tasks with heavy workloads. Whenever methods or adaptions in both technology and organization are insufficient to improve working conditions, personal-related interventions as exoskeletons come into question. They may prove successful in alleviating musculoskeletal disorders and relieving physical strain. The rising number of market-ready exoskeletons often challenges users or companies to select an appropriate system for their applications. In order to address this issue, this paper presents a generic approach for supporting both the selection and evaluation of exoskeletons. With respect to the task, user, and technical system, the decision support matrix (DSM) merges work profiles, motion patterns, and postures into one schematic representation. It aims to suggest exoskeletons with inherent properties matching these external requirements. In summary, the DSM may help users and companies to assess the fundamental suitability and select appropriate support devices for specific applications.