Exoskeletons in Ergonomics Research

Introduction

The field of ergonomics is dedicated to optimizing human-environment interactions to enhance safety, comfort, and efficiency in the workplace. This scientific domain involves designing or modifying workspaces, tools, and workflows to align with the physical and cognitive capabilities of users. Prof. Dr. Gabriela Garcia of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador is an expert in this field. Together with her team, she is committed to identifying ergonomic challenges and devising new solutions to improve workplace safety.

In 2023, Prof. Dr. Garcia led a study on the CarrySuit exoskeleton, exploring its impact during carrying operations. This research is crucial as it provides empirical evidence on whether and how exoskeletons can be tools to support the design of safer workplaces.

Professor Dr. Gabriela Garcia (right) and her team at the University of San Francisco de Quito

Research Question

The study aimed to investigate the impact of a passive upper-body exoskeleton, the CarrySuit, on reducing the physical workload during manual carrying tasks. The research focused on determining how the exoskeleton affects muscle activity, heart rate, and the level of discomfort experienced by the users during a controlled carrying task. This research addresses the practical application of ergonomics in improving worker safety and productivity.

Methods

The study employed a crossover design involving thirty participants who performed a 10-minute carrying task, both with and without the CarrySuit exoskeleton. The task involved carrying a 15 kg load across a set distance, with variables such as muscle activity, heart rate, and discomfort systematically recorded. The participants were divided evenly by gender to also explore any potential sex-related differences in the exoskeleton's impact.

Findings

The findings revealed that using the CarrySuit exoskeleton significantly reduced muscle activity in key areas like the deltoid and erector spinae muscles, lowered heart rate, and decreased discomfort ratings compared to not using the exoskeleton. These effects were consistent across both male and female participants, although some variations in muscle activity symmetry were noted. The results suggest that the CarrySuit can effectively reduce physical strain and enhance endurance during carrying tasks.

“It is truly exciting to study advanced solutions like exoskeletons and their potential to improve workers' well-being and efficiency in the workplace. Our work has led to multiple publications in international journals, contributing to the global understanding of this emerging technology."

Prof. Dr. Gabriela Garcia, Department of Industrial Engineering, University of San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador.

The graph shows the mean heart rate for females and males at rest and during tasks, with and without the exoskeleton. It illustrates the exoskeleton’s role in moderating heart rate increases during physical activities. Figure reproduced from Garcia G. et al., 2024.

Publication

The study was published as a peer-reviewed paper in the scientific journal PLOS ONE. The paper focused on the CarrySuit's impact on reducing physical strain during manual tasks. A link to the full paper can be found below. The findings contribute to the ergonomics literature by providing data on the use of exoskeletons in workplace safety.

Reference: Garcia G, Arauz PG, Alvarez I, Encalada N, Vega S, Martin BJ (2023). Impact of a passive upper-body exoskeleton on muscle activity, heart rate and discomfort during a carrying task. PLoS ONE 18(6): e0287588. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287588