In this episode, Dr. Tom Sugar and I recap our November trip to Germany for WearRAcon Europe 2025, A+A Düsseldorf, ExoPark, and the ExoWorkAthlon. We discuss the two-day conference on able-bodied wearable robotics & exoskeletons, the scale of the world’s leading safety trade fair, the growing momentum behind occupational exoskeletons, standout presentations from the conference, hands-on demonstrations, emerging evaluation tools, and the energy around the exoskeleton industry as it continues moving toward wider workplace adoption.

Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Germany trip overview 01:35 Arrival in Düsseldorf and WearRAcon Europe 2025 setup 02:07 A+A Düsseldorf, ExoPark, and the scale of the event 07:13 WearRAcon Europe 2025 talks, research, and evaluation tools 24:28 ExoWorkathlon and hands-on exoskeleton demonstrations 38:11 A+A trade fair reflections and industry momentum

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For more information and related links to content mentioned in the podcast, see:

• Wearable Robotics Association: https://wearablerobotics.com
• TikTok Videos from A+A 2025:   / exoskeletonreport  
• A+A Article by Hyundai: https://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com/en/…
• 3 Keys to Mainstreaming Exoskeletons in the Next Five Years:    • 3 Keys to Mainstreaming Exoskeletons in th…   – HeroWear closing presentation of the WearRA Europe Conference
• If you like this work, please support me on Patreon:    https://www.patreon.com/ExoskeletonReport

Summary:

In this episode, Bobby Marinov of Exoskeleton Report and Dr. Tom Sugar, WearRA, recap their November trip to Germany for WearRAcon Europe 2025, A+A Düsseldorf, ExoPark, and the ExoWorkathlon. The conversation opens with an overview of the scale of A+A, described as the world’s largest safety and occupational protection trade fair, with tens of thousands of attendees and multiple massive exhibit halls dedicated to everything from protective equipment and lifting tools to emerging technologies like occupational exoskeletons.

A major focus of the episode is how exoskeleton technology was presented not as an isolated curiosity, but as part of the broader worker safety ecosystem. Bobby and Tom explain how ExoPark helped bring together a critical mass of occupational exoskeleton companies in one area, making it easier for attendees to compare devices, try them on, and understand how they could apply to real workplace tasks. They highlight the importance of clustering exoskeleton producers together rather than scattering them across the trade fair, as it creates a stronger sense of a product family and makes the technology more approachable for visitors.

The hosts also discuss the WearRAcon Europe 2025 conference program, which included research presentations, keynote talks, poster sessions, and discussions around evaluation, standards, and implementation. They reflect on presentations covering bio-protective exoskeletons, digital ergonomic assessment tools, exoskeleton integration in organizations, and the need for more objective data. A recurring theme is that the industry is maturing: there is growing interest in measuring performance, comparing devices more consistently, and collecting longer-term evidence from real-world deployments.

Another key part of the episode is the ExoWorkathlon, where practical workplace scenarios were used to evaluate exoskeletons in realistic tasks. Bobby and Tom describe nursing and logistics-focused parcours, including patient transfer simulations and box-handling tasks designed around real ergonomic challenges. They emphasize the value of testing exoskeletons in use cases that come directly from industry, especially when traditional ergonomic solutions are difficult or impossible to apply.

The episode also includes hands-on impressions from the ExoPark exhibit area. Bobby and Tom mention seeing a wide range of technologies, including passive shoulder support systems, powered hip systems, chairless chair devices, spine-support concepts, elbow support systems, sensors, and digital assessment tools. They were especially struck by the scale of Hyundai’s booth and the opportunity to test shoulder support in overhead work simulations, which made the difference in fatigue and performance more tangible.

Toward the end, Bobby and Tom broaden the discussion to A+A Düsseldorf as a whole, describing it as a well-run, high-energy trade fair with a strong emphasis on education, safety, and practical adoption. They note that visitors seemed more informed than in previous years, with many attendees arriving ready to ask detailed questions and physically try the devices. The episode closes on an optimistic note: occupational exoskeletons appear to be moving from “exotic” technology toward a more familiar category of workplace safety equipment, similar in spirit to safety glasses, hard hats, or protective footwear.

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