ASTM Exo Games 2024: A Fusion of Innovation, Education, and Real-World Challenges

The ASTM International Exo Games 2024, held August 5th through the 9th, was a student-centric innovation initiative that defied expectations and became much more than just another robotics competition. Similar to typical robotics competitions, there was a series of predetermined challenges based on the needs of first responders. Furthermore, the ASTM Exo Games was designed as an intensive week-long workshop with expert and professional guest talks and plenty of hands-on activities with first-responder gear and exoskeleton technology.

The event focused on developing exoskeletons for first responders. It was organized in collaboration with NIST and used more than eleven different ASTM standards to guide the student teams (see list at the end of the article). The result was a comprehensive experience in which students not only tested their devices but also learned about real-world applications and the needs of first responders.

Dr. William “Bill” Billotte, the Executive Director of the Exo Technology Center of Excellence, introduced the three university teams that participated in this year’s student innovation initiative:

• The University of Maryland Honors College, Team Exo, a back support exo developed with the intent to be helpful to firefighters,
• the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, The S²AME Exoskeleton, a hip-shoulder wearable meant to provide lower back and arm support,
• and the returning champions from the University Center of Central Lancashire (UCLan) with their entry, the L.E.A.F – Load-Bearing Exoskeleton for Assisting First Responders.

The students were tasked with developing exoskeleton solutions for first responders like police officers, firefighters, or emergency medical technicians (EMTs), focusing on real-world performance in demanding environments. Their challenges included rolling and unrolling fire hoses, conducting search-and-rescue missions across uneven and constrained terrain, performing CPR, and stacking/unstacking objects—all scenarios where the exoskeletons needed to enhance human capability without becoming cumbersome or getting in the way.

On the surface, the needs of first responders are not a perfect match for occupational exoskeletons. At the moment, occupational exoskeletons tend to have more adoption for repetitive tasks in a controlled environment. The work of first responders can be varied and is rarely done at the same location twice. However, the event was far more than a simple wearable robotics competition; it was a valuable learning experience. The students had opportunities to engage directly with professionals, including a SWAT team member and a firefighter, and gain insights into the real-world applications of their designs. On the other hand, standards creators had four days of human-in-the-loop exoskeleton testing against tasks and courses based on published standards.

Students also presented their work in a poster competition and received valuable feedback from judges on how their exoskeletons could integrate into existing first responder kits. What made this event stand out was the iterative learning process. The students were able to test their exoskeletons in real time, face challenges like equipment failures, and learn how to make repairs on the fly. The experience gave them invaluable engineering, teamwork, and customer integration lessons, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application.

While a competition, the ASTM ExoGames became an immersive experience where the student’s passion for innovation was at the forefront. It wasn’t just about testing devices but about growth, collaboration, and preparing the next generation of engineers to tackle real-world challenges with cutting-edge technology. This unique initiative exemplified the power of hands-on learning and how standards like those from ASTM can guide the development of future technologies.

The ET CoE has posted an extensive photo gallery with high-quality images from the event on Flickr: link

ASTM International has published ten wonderful short videos from the competition on their YouTube channel: link

Below is the list of ASTM International Committee F48 on Exoskeletons and Exosuits standards utilized in building and designing the exos used in this year’s Exo Games and how the challenges were chosen:

ASTM Standards Used In The Creation of the Exo Games 2024:

• F3323 Standard Terminology for Exoskeletons and Exosuits
• F3443 Standard Practice for Load Handling When Using an Exoskeleton
• F3528 Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Gait
• F3523 Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Confined Space: Horizontal Movement
• F3517 Practice for Movement Tests When Using an Exoskeleton
• F3540 Guide for Hazards for Consideration When Designing Exoskeletons
• F3578 Standard Test Method for Evaluating Exoskeleton Fall Risk due to Stumbling
• F3581 Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Hurdles
• F3582 Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Gaps
• F3583 Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Beams
• F3584 Standard Test Method for Exoskeleton Use: Obstacle Avoidance: Walking

Special thanks to Rita Vazquez-Torres (LinkedIn), CEO of New Stone Soup VT LLC (link), for sponsoring me to attend the ASTM International Exo Games 2024. This report wouldn’t have been possible without her generous financial support! ASTM International organized the Exo Games with sponsorships from NIST, Additure, AM Solutions, and Viking Exos.