Industrial

Webinar Highlight: Application of Exoskeletons in Construction to Mitigate Heavy Workloads

Application of Exoskeletons in Construction to Mitigate Heavy Workloads - 5 Year Immplementation Project

How are occupational exoskeletons received at construction work sites? In this webinar, Dr. Carisa Harris presents a five-year field study in collaboration with the California Labor Lab. The presentation begins by discussing the burdens on workers, such as excessive forces, repetition, awkward posture, vibrations, and temperature. There are eight million employees in the construction business, and many of them face these risks daily. The presentation focuses on arm and shoulder support exoskeletons and their effectiveness.

The study recorded perceived benefits and concerns. A recorded barrier to adoption was a need for systematic information on how to fit and select support levels properly (we will have an independently produced podcast on barriers to exo adoption coming out soon). The project has transitioned into creating an approach to predict the correct exoskeleton adjustments based on the worker’s height, weight, gender, and job. The team even made an obstacle course and ran 40 participants through it. A noteworthy observation was that on-the-fly tailgate training was considered significantly less effective compared to group, individual, or simulation training on using the exoskeletons.

The project also aims to create guides with tips and tricks for occupational exoskeletons that are accessible to smaller and medium-sized companies. Dr. Harris emphasizes that the laboratory research findings must be put into practice for the research to have an impact. For the next five years, the project will evaluate the use of exoskeleton work in construction.

The Q&A questions that are at the end of the webinar are surprisingly insightful: should exos be PPE (no), how should small and medium companies pay for these (~$2,500 or rental), sanitation in the post-COVID world (washable sleeves and covers), can exos help those who already suffer from injuries (will not look at return to work, but will continue to evaluate), evidence of muscle atrophy (none), don/doff time cutting into break time (less than 30 seconds once set up for the user)…

The problem exos are trying to solve in the US:

  • Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) equate to 600,000 injuries per year. That represents 34% of all lost workdays or $1 of every $3 spent on worker’s compensation.
  • Employers can incur up to $20 billion in direct worker compensation costs and another $54 billion in necessary rehiring and retraining costs.

You can view the complete webinar episode on YouTube:

Support the Future of Wearable Robotics

Hi everyone,

I’m Bobby, the voice behind Exoskeleton Report. For the past nine years, I’ve provided insights into wearable robotics and exoskeleton technology. Exoskeleton Report is more than just news—it’s a platform for advocacy, education, and leading critical conversations in our community.

Through leadership roles in organizations, articles, and consulting, I’ve worked to deliver technical accuracy and make complex topics accessible to everyone. I’ve loved experimenting with new ways to reach you, even when things didn’t always go as planned.

Now, I’m launching my Patreon. If you’ve found value in my content—whether it’s learning something new, gaining clarity, or feeling connected to the future of exoskeletons—I invite you to join Rita Vazquez-Torres, Volker Bartenbach and Josh Caputo (via Humotech) in supporting my work.

Your support helps me continue producing informative content, exploring new topics, and advancing our mission to promote wearable robotics.

Even a small contribution makes a big difference. Let’s build the future of wearable robotics together.

https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport

I appreciate your support, Bobby


Special thanks to Matt Marino for highlighting this fantastic webinar and work. If you know of any primary exoskeleton-related news or presentations, please don’t hesitate to share that at info@exoskeletonreport.com or using our contact form: Submit an Exoskeleton Related News or Press Release to the Exoskeleton Report.


If you don’t have time to view the full webinar, I asked ChatGPT to draft a summary:

Introduction

Dr. Carisa Harris presented the webinar “Application of Exoskeletons in Construction to Mitigate Heavy Workloads” in collaboration with the California Labor Lab. The focus was on implementing shoulder support exoskeletons in the construction industry to reduce the physical demands on workers performing heavy labor tasks. Dr. Harris provided an overview of musculoskeletal disorders common in construction and highlighted how exoskeletons could help mitigate these issues by supporting workers’ backs and shoulders during strenuous activities. She emphasized that work-related musculoskeletal disorders are a significant issue in the construction sector, accounting for a large number of injuries and lost workdays. The high prevalence of back, shoulder, and joint injuries among construction workers has increased attention to practical solutions, such as wearable robotics, to address these challenges.

Types of Exoskeletons and Research Collaboration

Dr. Harris elaborated on the different types of exoskeletons available, focusing on passive models that do not require external power sources. These passive exoskeletons utilize mechanical assistance to reduce the strain on workers’ muscles and joints, particularly during repetitive or overhead tasks. The webinar highlighted the collaborative efforts of multiple partners, including CPWR and Virginia Tech, in conducting research to evaluate the effectiveness of exoskeletons in construction settings. Dr. Harris stressed the importance of understanding the specific demands of construction tasks to tailor exoskeletons for practical use. She noted that exoskeletons could be valuable in reducing fatigue, improving productivity, and enhancing worker retention, especially in high-risk roles involving significant physical exertion.

Research Project Phases and Aims

Dr. Harris discussed the multi-phase research project designed to evaluate exoskeletons in construction. The project included several key aims:

Phase 1: Stakeholder Input

The first aim was to gather input from construction industry stakeholders, including workers, employers, and safety professionals, to understand their perceptions of exoskeleton technology. This phase involved surveys and interviews to evaluate expected benefits, barriers, and factors influencing the adoption of exoskeletons. The findings highlighted potential benefits such as reduced musculoskeletal injuries, increased worker retention, and productivity gains while also identifying barriers related to usability, safety, and cost.

Phase 2: Laboratory Studies

The second aim of the research focused on assessing the efficacy of exoskeletons for construction tasks through laboratory studies. These studies examined the impact of exoskeletons on muscle activity, fatigue, and task performance. Participants were asked to perform simulated construction tasks, such as overhead drilling and lifting, while wearing different types of exoskeletons. The results demonstrated that exoskeletons could significantly reduce muscle activity in the shoulders and back, particularly during tasks involving sustained or repetitive overhead work. The laboratory phase also included safety evaluations, where researchers assessed how wearing exoskeletons affected workers’ balance, mobility, and ability to navigate obstacles commonly found on construction sites.

Phase 3: Field Trials

The third aim involved evaluating the perceived safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of exoskeletons among construction workers. This phase included field trials in which workers used exoskeletons for extended periods while performing real construction tasks. Feedback from these trials provided valuable insights into the practicality of exoskeletons in the field, including considerations for comfort, ease of use, and task-specific adjustments. Dr. Harris emphasized the importance of user-centered design and the need foraproper training to ensure that workers could effectively use exoskeletons without experiencing discomfort or increased risk of injury. The feedback gathered from field trials was instrumental in refining the guidelines for exoskeleton use and identifying best practices for their implementation.

Practical Guidelines and Future Research

Dr. Harris also highlighted the need for further research and real-world trials to establish practical guidelines for exoskeleton use, particularly in different construction environments. These guidelines would help standardize the implementation process and ensure that the technology is used effectively and safely across various job sites. She emphasized that the diversity of construction tasks and worker needs requires a flexible approach to exoskeleton deployment tailored to the specific conditions of each job site and task type.

Conclusion

The webinar concluded with a summary of the ongoing efforts to develop better training materials and guidelines to facilitate the adoption of exoskeletons in the field. Dr. Harris underscored the importance of ensuring workers are comfortable with and use the technology safely. The research findings and guidelines aim to support both workers and employers in making informed decisions about using exoskeletons to improve safety and productivity in the construction industry.


Reference:

Application of Exoskeletons in Construction to Mitigate Heavy Workloads, 09/25/2024, https://www.coeh.berkeley.edu/24cll0925

ASE Guidelines: Tips and Tricks for using exoskeletons safely and effectively in construction.  (Under development, but ExR will keep an eye on this.)

About the California Labor Lab: The California Labor Lab is a collaboration among investigators at UCSF, UC Berkeley, and the California Department of Public Health. The Lab is housed at the Philip R Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. Its mission is to extend the pursuit of health and safety for workers in traditional employment to those in a wide range of alternative arrangements in partnership with affected communities.

Upcoming Events

New Exoskeleton Report Newsletter!

Get the latest news on exoskeletons, wearable robotics, and curated articles from around the web delivered to your inbox every week!

Subscribe Now

Latest Podcast Episode: