Fraunhofer IPA is hosting another Exo Experience Day in Stuttgart. This is a hands-on “technology forum” designed for companies trying to understand how occupational exoskeletons differ, how they work, and what to consider when evaluating them for real production needs. Fraunhofer IPA positions itself as an experienced (ExoWorkAthlon) neutral institution, and one of the world’s largest research institutes focused on exoskeleton development and evaluation.

The motivation is familiar to many manufacturing teams: skilled labor shortages, an aging workforce, retaining know-how, reducing sick days, and ongoing work strain even when restructuring is planned; all common reasons companies start researching exoskeletons, only to discover a crowded landscape with many device types (supported body region, active vs. passive vs. soft, etc.).

A key practical element is the Exoworkathlon® parcore, where participants can test exoskeletons from different manufacturers in realistic application scenarios developed with industry, and get a clearer picture of potential use cases.

Contents:

• Overview of exoskeletons via classification categories

• Evaluation methods to investigate effectiveness in work environments

• Acceptance factors

• Hands-on testing of exoskeletons

• Implementation aids and guidelines

• Outlook on digital work design with exoskeletons

The event is led by Fraunhofer’s exoskeleton team, including Verena Kopp and Urban Daub.

Takeaways:

Participants leave with an overview of how exoskeletons function, hands-on experience testing different models, and a useful groundwork for selecting systems for their own company.

Note: The official event page is in German, so expect a German-first audience/format.

When:

March 17, 2026 — 09:30 to 16:00 (CET)

Where:

Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation (IPA)

Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany

Rooms: D5.18 + D5.19

Registration + cancellation policy (for the listing)

Registration is handled via Fraunhofer IPA’s signup page.

Cancellations up to 10 days before the event incur a €100 fee; after that, the full participation fee is due.

Target audience

Plant managers, occupational safety experts, ergonomics experts, innovation managers, occupational medicine experts, and anyone evaluating exoskeletons for production environments.