A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures
Industrial workplaces expose workers to a high risk of injuries such as Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Exoskeletons are wearable robotic technologies that can be used to reduce the loads exerted on the body’s joints and reduce the occurrence of WMSDs. However, current studies show t...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-04-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/7/2714 |
| _version_ | 1797437651344687104 |
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| author | Ali Golabchi Andrew Chao Mahdi Tavakoli |
| author_facet | Ali Golabchi Andrew Chao Mahdi Tavakoli |
| author_sort | Ali Golabchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Industrial workplaces expose workers to a high risk of injuries such as Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Exoskeletons are wearable robotic technologies that can be used to reduce the loads exerted on the body’s joints and reduce the occurrence of WMSDs. However, current studies show that the deployment of industrial exoskeletons is still limited, and widespread adoption depends on different factors, including efficacy evaluation metrics, target tasks, and supported body postures. Given that exoskeletons are not yet adopted to their full potential, we propose a review based on these three evaluation dimensions that guides researchers and practitioners in properly evaluating and selecting exoskeletons and using them effectively in workplaces. Specifically, evaluating an exoskeleton needs to incorporate: (1) efficacy evaluation metrics based on both subjective (e.g., user perception) and objective (e.g., physiological measurements from sensors) measures, (2) target tasks (e.g., manual material handling and the use of tools), and (3) the body postures adopted (e.g., squatting and stooping). This framework is meant to guide the implementation and assessment of exoskeletons and provide recommendations addressing potential challenges in the adoption of industrial exoskeletons. The ultimate goal is to use the framework to enhance the acceptance and adoption of exoskeletons and to minimize future WMSDs in industrial workplaces. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:25:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8ade733cc7f04e2ab3f71845cb44598d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:25:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-8ade733cc7f04e2ab3f71845cb44598d2023-12-01T00:04:05ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202022-04-01227271410.3390/s22072714A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body PosturesAli Golabchi0Andrew Chao1Mahdi Tavakoli2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, CanadaDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, CanadaDepartment of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, CanadaIndustrial workplaces expose workers to a high risk of injuries such as Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs). Exoskeletons are wearable robotic technologies that can be used to reduce the loads exerted on the body’s joints and reduce the occurrence of WMSDs. However, current studies show that the deployment of industrial exoskeletons is still limited, and widespread adoption depends on different factors, including efficacy evaluation metrics, target tasks, and supported body postures. Given that exoskeletons are not yet adopted to their full potential, we propose a review based on these three evaluation dimensions that guides researchers and practitioners in properly evaluating and selecting exoskeletons and using them effectively in workplaces. Specifically, evaluating an exoskeleton needs to incorporate: (1) efficacy evaluation metrics based on both subjective (e.g., user perception) and objective (e.g., physiological measurements from sensors) measures, (2) target tasks (e.g., manual material handling and the use of tools), and (3) the body postures adopted (e.g., squatting and stooping). This framework is meant to guide the implementation and assessment of exoskeletons and provide recommendations addressing potential challenges in the adoption of industrial exoskeletons. The ultimate goal is to use the framework to enhance the acceptance and adoption of exoskeletons and to minimize future WMSDs in industrial workplaces.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/7/2714exoskeletonsexosuitswearable robotswearable technologiesindustrial exoskeletonsmusculoskeletal disorders |
| spellingShingle | Ali Golabchi Andrew Chao Mahdi Tavakoli A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures Sensors exoskeletons exosuits wearable robots wearable technologies industrial exoskeletons musculoskeletal disorders |
| title | A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures |
| title_full | A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures |
| title_fullStr | A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures |
| title_short | A Systematic Review of Industrial Exoskeletons for Injury Prevention: Efficacy Evaluation Metrics, Target Tasks, and Supported Body Postures |
| title_sort | systematic review of industrial exoskeletons for injury prevention efficacy evaluation metrics target tasks and supported body postures |
| topic | exoskeletons exosuits wearable robots wearable technologies industrial exoskeletons musculoskeletal disorders |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/7/2714 |
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