Evaluating the Efficacy of a Passive Exoskeleton for Enhancing Ergonomics in Manufacturing
| Autor: | Fatemeh Davoudi Kakhki, Armin Moghadam, Arnold Nieto, Hardik Vora |
|---|---|
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2024 |
| Předmět: |
manual material handling
manufacturing ergonomics passive back-support exoskeleton occupational health and safety musculoskeletal disorder prevention user acceptance Technology Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General) TA1-2040 Biology (General) QH301-705.5 Physics QC1-999 Chemistry QD1-999 |
| Zdroj: | Applied Sciences, Vol 14, Iss 13, p 5810 (2024) |
| Druh dokumentu: | article |
| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/app14135810 |
| Popis: | 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. |
| Databáze: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
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