title: Exoskeletons for industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load.
abstract: The aim of this review was to provide an overview of assistive exoskeletons that have specifically been developed for industrial purposes and to assess the potential effect of these exoskeletons on reduction of physical loading on the body. The search resulted in 40 papers describing 26 different industrial exoskeletons, of which 19 were active (actuated) and 7 were passive (non-actuated). For 13 exoskeletons, the effect on physical loading has been evaluated, mainly in terms of muscle activity. All passive exoskeletons retrieved were aimed to support the low back. Ten-forty per cent reductions in back muscle activity during dynamic lifting and static holding have been reported. Both lower body, trunk and upper body regions could benefit from active exoskeletons. Muscle activity reductions up to 80% have been reported as an effect of active exoskeletons. Exoskeletons have the potential to considerably reduce the underlying factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal injury. Practitioner Summary: Worldwide, a significant interest in industrial exoskeletons does exist, but a lack of specific safety standards and several technical issues hinder mainstay practical use of exoskeletons in industry. Specific issues include discomfort (for passive and active exoskeletons), weight of device, alignment with human anatomy and kinematics, and detection of human intention to enable smooth movement (for active exoskeletons).
authors.affiliation: a TNO , Leiden , The Netherlands.|b Faculty of Human Movement Sciences , VU University , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michiel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: de Looze
authors.affiliation: a TNO , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bosch
authors.affiliation: a TNO , Leiden , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Krause
authors.affiliation: c School of Engineering , Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) , Winterthur , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Konrad S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Stadler
authors.affiliation: d Department of Design and Manufacturing Technology , University of Limerick , Limerick , Ireland.
authors.forename: Leonard W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D064131:Back Muscles; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D000067190:Exoskeleton Device; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D009068:Movement; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D016526:Workload
keywords: Exoskeleton; discomfort; industry; physical workload