Description

The HAPO FRONT exoskeleton is a wearable exoskeleton for the support of biceps and deltoid muscle during tasks requiring repetitive handling of objects, prolonged holding of the arms in front of the body, or any “arms out” postures that impact the upper body tasks that require continuous or repetitive arm lifting. It is designed to relieve the upper arms in construction, logistics, industrial, agricultural, and medical applications.

The HAPO Front relieves the upper arm, shoulders, and elbows by redirecting the loads from the arm to the lower back.  It assists the arms when they are extended, and primarily in the front of the body at angles of 0 to 135 degrees.

It can be used when performing repetitive movements and the arms are out in front for long periods.  It has been used in the dairy industry to relieve shoulder pain when milking cows.  It has been used by dairy farmers, oyster farmers, wine growers, cable workers, electricians, welders, sorting operators in logistics, and laboratory workers.

It is available in 1 size with varying springs.  It takes 50 seconds to put on and 20 seconds to take off. HAPO FRONT weighs 1.3 Kg (2.9 lb) and supports the user’s arms with up to 6 kg (13 lb) when the shoulder flexion is between 0º (arm vertically down) and 135º (arm pointing upwards) for the whole horizontal workspace (180º). The passive support is provided by spring-like elastic elements connected on one side to the trunk harness and on the other side to the user’s elbows. 

Certifications and/or 3rd party testing results:

HAPO-MS is CE directive 2006/42/EC certified.

Regions and or countries where the exoskeleton can be purchased?

Worldwide

Relevant studies and journal papers:

• Scientific research carried out by the manufacturer shows a reduction in biceps and deltoid muscle activity of 33% and 16% respectively for a dynamic, half-height arm task. https://ergosante.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/article-scientifique-hapo-ms_EN.pdf

Weight of the device:

2.9 lb (1.3 kg)

Hapo (now separate from ErgoSanté), 28 ZA de Labahou, 30140 ANDUZE, France website

Exoskeleton Report does not endorse one exoskeleton product over another.  The exoskeleton catalog is purely for educational purposes.  The catalog is meant to provide an easily accessible birds-eye view of the exoskeleton industry, and a quick method to sort exoskeletons by type and purpose.  All prices are approximate and are meant to provide a general sense of the cost of the devices.

This exoskeleton catalog entry has been made with the assistance of Stefano Carisi, MS in BioRobotics and Biomechanical Design from the Delft University of Technology, an experienced product manager in human-machine collaboration, as well as Thomas Sugar, Director of the Wearable Robotics Association link.