Delft-based Laevo introduces the Laevo V2.5, the world's first self-assembly exoskeleton. The exoskeleton has already been put into use by companies such as PON Logistics, Geodis Logistics, John Deere, ENGIE Cofely, Daher and WTH.
An exoskeleton is a skeleton worn on the outside of the body. We know such devices from the medical world, but they can also be of interest to the manufacturing industry, among others. Here, exoskeletons can support employees in performing strenuous tasks to alleviate, remedy or prevent work-related back problems and pains.
Reduce back strain by 40%
"Employees are fitter after a long working day thanks to these skeletons," explains Sjors van Enckevort, site manager Contract Logistics at GEODIS in Venlo. Geodis is one of the companies to have commissioned the Laevo V2.5. If a worker bends forward, the spring in the exoskeleton pushes back, reducing back strain by 40 per cent. Currently, three workers at Geodis' distribution centre in Venlo are using a personalised exoskeleton. The company claims that workers lifting more than 4,000 kg per day can benefit from the support provided by the exoskeleton.
A striking feature of the Laevo V2.5 is the ability to exchange parts yourself and to adjust both the width, length and working angle of the exoskeleton in detail. This allows workers to adjust the exoskeleton so that their body is optimally supported. This allows multiple employees to use one exoskeleton, which is especially interesting for companies with many operational staff. This saves them from having to buy a separate exoskeleton for each employee. The Laevo V2.5 will be available from summer 2017.
MAX from suitX
Laevo is not the only company focusing on developing exoskeletons for the manufacturing industry. US-based suitX has also been working on such an exoskeleton for some time, which has been marketed under the name MAX (Modular Agile eXoskeleton). MAX consists of three modules: backX, shoulderX and legX. These modules can be combined as required depending on the need. For example, the modules can be worn individually from each other or the modules can be combined to form a complete exoskeleton. It is also possible to use only backX and shoulderX, for example.
Like the Laevo V2.5, the MAX is designed to relieve workers when performing physical activities. The suit supports workers in lifting heavy objects, working above their strength and kneeling, among other tasks. Another similarity is the fact that both the Laevo V2.5 and the MAX operate fully automatically, so employees do not need to control the suit.
Robo-Mate
The European research project Robo-Mate is also working on an exoskeleton to reduce physical strain when performing manual tasks. Twelve parties from seven different countries are involved in the project, including the Dutch TNO. The research institute says that in the automotive sector, the food processing industry and in warehouses, among others, relatively heavy loads are handled and lifted, often with peak loads and often in non-optimal postures. This poses high risks of injury, which can lead to low productivity, long-term worker absence and even disability. TNO points out that 44 million workers in the European Union are affected by workplace musculoskeletal disorders. On an annual basis, this represents a cost of over EUR 240 billion.
With Robo-Mate, the parties involved aim to provide a solution to this problem. The project aims to develop an intelligent, easily manoeuvrable and portable exoskeleton that supports workers in manual tasks. The project started in 2015 and will run for three years.
Further information
More information on Laevo V2.5 from Laevo can be found here, while more information on suitX's MAX is available on suitX' s website. For more information on the Robo-Mate project, please visit TNO's website.
By: Wouter Hoeffnagel
