Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

Available online at www.sciencedirect.com

Available
ScienceDirect
online atonline
www.sciencedirect.com
Available at www.sciencedirect.com
ScienceDirect
Procedia CIRP 00 (2020) 000–000
ScienceDirect
ScienceDirect
Procedia CIRP 00 (2020) 000–000
Procedia CIRP 00 (2017)
Procedia 000–000
CIRP 91 (2020) 243–248
www.elsevier.com/locate/procedia
30th CIRP Design 2020 (CIRP Design 2020)
30th CIRP Design 2020 (CIRP Design 2020)
Enhancement of human-centered workplace design and
Enhancement 28th CIRPofDesign
optimization human-centered
with Exoskeleton
Conference, Mayworkplace
2018,technology
Nantes, Francedesign and
optimization with Exoskeletona technology a, c
A new methodology
Daniele Ippolito to analyze *, Carmen theConstantinescu
functional ,and Claudiuphysical
Alin Rusu architecture of
a, b,

Daniele Ippolito
existing Graduate
products for an
a, b,
*, Carmen
assembly
Fraunhofer Constantinescu
12, Stuttgart 70569,,Germany
oriented
IAO, Nobelstraße
a a
Claudiufamily
product Alin Rusu a, c
identification
School of Excellence advanced Manufacturing Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße 12, Stuttgart
b
a
70569, Germany
Fraunhofer IAO, Nobelstraße 12, Stuttgart 70569, Germany
Technical
Paul Stief *, Jean-Yves Dantan, Alain Etienne, Ali Siadat
School ofUniversity
Excellenceofadvanced
Cluj-Napoca, Strada Memorandumului 28, Cluj-Napoca 400114, Romania12, Stuttgart
c
Graduate
b
Manufacturing Engineering, University of Stuttgart, Nobelstraße
70569, Germany
c
Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Strada Memorandumului 28, Cluj-Napoca 400114, Romania
Écoleauthor.
* Corresponding Nationale
Tel.:Supérieure d’Arts et
+49711970-2289; Métiers,
E-mail Arts et
address: Métiers ParisTech, LCFC EA 4495, 4 Rue Augustin Fresnel, Metz 57078, France
daniele.ippolito@iao.fraunhofer.com

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +49711970-2289; E-mail address: daniele.ippolito@iao.fraunhofer.com

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +33 3 87 37 54 30; E-mail address: paul.stief@ensam.eu
Abstract

Abstract
The employment of intelligent tools in production, such as the new area of wearable robotics, the Exoskeletons, represents valuable and promising
Abstract
technology to reduce the physical stress and increase innovation, productivity and workplace safety. The challenge of realizing these advanced
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analyze a product or one product family on the physical level. Different product families, however, may differ largely in terms of the number and developing
and security an
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c) configuration working
on environments withthe integrated adaptive Exoskeletons. the The topic harmonizes three main areas of
nature of components. This fact impedes anthe components
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comparison new
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choiceof wearable robotics,
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family combinations for the production
research:
The a) production
validation technologies
of this approach and holistic
is provided through planning of production
the creation of digital processes; b) ergonomics,
human/Exoskeleton modelssafety and security
combining of workers inwith
digital Exoskeleton production
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system. A new and
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viewofof their functional and physical architecture. The aim is to cluster
digital human models. The Digital based Twin on the human/Exoskeleton
of the components the newsystem wearable
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industrial evaluation of the proposed
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CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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Peer-review under responsibility of the committee of the CIRPCIRP Design Conference 2020 2018.
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Keywords: Exoskeleton technology; Design and Planning Methodology
Keywords: Assembly; Design method; Family identification
Keywords: Exoskeleton technology; Design and Planning Methodology
1. Problem Statement many factories are integrating Exoskeletons into their assembly
and production lines and logistics processes with the aim of
1.1.Introduction
Problem Statement ofmany
reducingfactories
the product are integrating
range
physical and Exoskeletons
characteristics
stress and increasing into their
manufactured assembly
and/or
innovation,
According to the latest statistics of the European Survey on and production lines and logistics processes with the aim of
Working Conditions (ESWC), 43% of the European workers productivity
assembled in and
this safety.
system. The
In implementation
this context, the of
main Exoskeleton
challenge in
According
Due to theto the
fastlatest statistics
development of thein European
the Survey
domain on
of reducing physical
technology is expanding stressintoand the increasing construction,
industrial, innovation,
complain of back pain, followed by muscular pains in the neck modelling and analysis is now not only to cope with single
productivity
logistics and safety. fields,
The implementation of ofExoskeleton
Working
or upper Conditions
communication limbs and (42%), (ESWC),
an overall
ongoing 43% of the
trend
fatigue ofEuropean
(35%) digitizationworkers
and muscular and products, aand healthcare
limited product rangewith the purpose
or existing product providing
families,
complain of back pain, followed by muscular pains in the neck technology
adequate is expanding
equipment to into
prevent the
the industrial,
musculoskeletal construction,
disorders
digitalization, manufacturing enterprises are
disorders in the hip or lower limbs (29%) [1]. In recent years, facing important but also to be able to analyze and to compare products to define
or upper limbs (42%), overall fatigue (35%) and muscular logistics which
(MSDs) and healthcare
workers fields,
can be with the purpose
vulnerable and of ensure
to providing the
challenges in today’s market environments:
manufacturing companies, especially car manufactures, are a continuing new product families. It can be observed that classical existing
disorders in the hip or lower limbs (29%) [1]. In recent years, adequate equipment
flexibility required to prevent
by production the musculoskeletal
processes [6, 7,disorders
8]. The
tendency towards reduction of product development
investing in increasing the flexibility of the production times and product families are regrouped in function of clients or features.
(MSDs) Social
German which Accident
workers can be vulnerable and
Insurance to ensure the
manufacturing
shortened
processesproduct
and in companies,
preventingespecially
lifecycles. Inthe
addition, car
workers´ manufactures,
there [2, 3, are
is an increasing
health 4]. However, assembly oriented product (DGUV)
families arereported
hardlyinto2013
find.
investing ina complete
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that the required
investment by production
in improving processes
workingdiffer [6,
conditions 7, 8]. The
through
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Solutions of as
customization, beingflexibility
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same theprocesses
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are too small, production variability is too high and/or with a coefficient of 1,445 in manufacturing industries [9]. The
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production) [1].
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Authors. Publishedpotentials in the existing
by Elsevier B.V. causes difficulties regarding an efficient definition and
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2212-8271 © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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2212-8271 2017access article Published
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Elsevier B.V. license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
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10.1016/j.procir.2020.02.173
 D. Ippolito, C. Constantinescu, C. A. Rusu / Procedia CIRP 00 (2020) 000–000
244 Daniele Ippolito et al. / Procedia CIRP 91 (2020) 243–248
2
optimization should be preceded by improvements with
classical Industrial Engineering solution. If the modification of
the existing workplace layout or the design of a new layout,
based on a classical Industrial Engineering solution, will not
enhance the ergonomics parameters of the workplace, an
Exoskeleton technology integration must be taken into
consideration. The Exoskeleton implementation establishes a
new workplace layout design and a new production planning.
The challenge of implementing Exoskeletons in the working
environment is to employ suitable design and planning methods
needed to equip future workplaces with Exoskeleton enabling
technology.
1.1. Challenge of design and optimization workplaces with
Exoskeleton technology
Workers are key factors for flexibility and productivity in
European industry. The industrial, construction, logistics and
healthcare workplaces are often characterized by manual
material handing tasks (MMH), hazardous conditions,
uncomfortable postures and high vibration levels, and require
a high level of flexibility that can only be achieved through the
use of workers. The tasks that characterize these workplaces,
in addition to requiring high physical efforts, require increased
cognitive efforts to maintain sustained levels of vigilance that
lead to higher levels of mental fatigue. Such working
conditions have a negative impact on workers and workplaces,
and contribute to reduce the optimal health and the
productivity conditions. These difficulties can be overcome by
combining the flexibility, precision and intelligence of workers
with the high resistance of Exoskeletons.
In manufacturing environments different types of
workstations, which range from fully manual to fully
automated can be defined. With the increasing implementation
of Exoskeleton technology in industry, a methodology must be
developed in order to design hybrid workstation layouts. A
hybrid workplace is a new type of workplace in which the
workers are performing their tasks wearing an Exoskeleton.
The hybrid workplace will be characterized by the intelligence,
precision and flexibility of the workers and the high strength
and resistance of the Exoskeleton.
The research group aims to design, implement and validate
an innovative approach for the design, planning and
optimization of intelligent working environments with
integrated Exoskeletons. The vision of this work is to support
the design and planning of a workplace with a new
methodology that allows the integration of Exoskeletons as a
new production resource or work tool to overcome major
ergonomic issues in the manipulation of heavy parts. A
working environment design, which focuses on the worker and
his ergonomics´ needs, has to ensure the absence of alienation
by the workers. One aspect that should not be underestimated
is the attitude that the worker takes towards this working tool.
A correct implementation of the Exoskeleton in the working
environment must ensure that the worker accepts positively its
integration and perceives autonomously the benefits that the
Exoskeleton introduces.
As the augmentation devices are becoming a common
concept in the industries certain standards of quality and
security of the workplace must be conceived and implemented
in the fields that are affected by the new wave of technology.
A good representation of such standards is the International
standard for Ergonomics – ISO (International Standardization
Organization) 6385:2016 that introduces the fundamental
principles of ergonomics as base guides for the work systems
design, where experts in ergonomics will cooperate with
designers, engineers and technical staff to balance the
efficiency and ergonomic proprieties of the factory [10].
1.2 Ethical, Legal and Social Aspects of the Exoskeleton
technology
A possible barrier to the Exoskeleton technology
implementation is the lack of clarity of rules and regulations
that protect the workers from being dehumanized and
overworked. Such complex issues of human Ethics and lack of
regularizations address the following aspects [11]: 1) Workers
Privacy: smart Exoskeletons can collect data from users, for
product feedback and/or health monitoring. Location
information, usage information, neural input information, vital
data and other private information relating to the worker are
collected as well; 2) Workers Compensation: Wearing the
Exoskeletons in working environments can lead to small or
significant injuries and it is not defined if the employer, the
Exoskeleton producer or the Insurance will compensate them;
3) Workers’ rights: Currently many workers have several
rights that limit their working hours. It is not regulated if
Exoskeletons may change the work time and whether
compensation may be different for workers that use the
technology than for those that do not use it.
At the same time some 4) Social concern must be monitored
and continuously analyzed. In detail this aspects concern the
Access to Exoskeleton technology: high costs of Exoskeleton
technology can represent an entry barrier for countries,
industries or companies with limited financial resources,
creating the so-called “discrimination of access”.
2. Requirements and hypothesis for holistic design and
optimization of Exoskeleton - integrated workplaces
For an efficient industrial Exoskeleton integration in the
workplace some specific aspects of the environment, motions
and actions, that the worker must realize, have to be studied.
Exoskeleton technology suits the needs for workplaces
where the ergonomics cannot be improved through traditional
means, where the motions and tasks done by the operative
affects specific body area that can be supported by the device
(e.g. upper body, lower back). Analogously, where the
automation of the process is inefficient or impossible due to the
environment or the nature of the workplace (e.g. mobile units,
short lot manufacturing) an Exoskeleton technology integration
should take place. Design of workplaces characterized by
manual material and parts handing tasks and which integrate
Exoskeletons should consider the following aspects: a)
workplace ergonomics; b) worker motivation and
concentration capacity; c) process quality; d) ethical, social and
legal aspects; e) working environment characteristics.
This last aspect is fundamental in order to identify which
type of Exoskeleton can be used in a particular working
environment and which operations and precautions the worker
must have in order to take the best care of the device.
It is necessary to check whether the workplace is in an
 D. Ippolito, C. Constantinescu, C. A. Rusu / Procedia CIRP 00 (2020) 000–000
Daniele Ippolito et al. / Procedia CIRP 91 (2020) 243–248
3
Fig.1: © Exo4Ergo enhancement: Holistic planning methodology overview
enclosed or external environment, which kind of chemical
agents and materials are used or present in the environment.
For example, active Exoskeletons, that are equipped with
electronic boards, electric motors and batteries, can risk serious
failures if introduced in outdoor environments. In the
construction and agriculture industry, dirt and dust can remain
on the device and compromise the optimal functioning of it.
Some of these aspects can be solved during the design phase or
by training workers to take care of their Exoskeleton.
At the same time it is necessary that the workplace has a
specific layout in order to consider the storage location for
docking the Exoskeleton when it has to be wear/un-wear by the
worker. Each workstation must be equipped with a suit rack
capable to hold the Exoskeleton. If the Exoskeleton is active,
the workplace have to be equipped with power sockets or with
alternative solutions for recharging the batteries. The
integration of Exoskeletons in working activities induce
additionally time that has to be recognized and taken in
consideration during the production planning. These times
consist in: a) wearing/un-wearing the Exoskeleton at the
beginning and at the end of the shift, for breaks or for
physiological needs; b) setting initial Exoskeleton technical
parameters, such as reactivity, sensibility and support grade.
All these required times should be scientifically planned aiming
to optimize according to all other manual assembly or logistics
operation times, by increasing the ergonomics of the
workplace.
3. Methodology for designing human-centered workplaces
with integrated Exoskeletons
The methodology, shown in Figure 1, improves and
enhances the approach named Exo4Ergo [12] developed in
2018 and continued and financed by the Ministry of Research
and Education from Germany, under the project
Exo4LogiProd. Exo4Ergo studies in detail the worker
ergonomic conditions during the execution of the tasks and the
working environment. The methodology consists of few
phases, presented in the next sub-paragraph.
245
3.1 Exo4Ergo phase’s description
1) The classification of the manufacturing operations and
logistic tasks, such as lifting, lowering, manipulating, carrying,
assembling, connecting screwing, drilling etc., and the
identification of the product and the working tools features,
such as volume, weight, material, ergonomicity of the grip etc.
is done in the first phase. These information are collected and
implemented in existing databases, called ExoData, developed
by a part of our research group, in order to detect any
similarities or novelties in the already analysed work
environments [13]. If there are significant differences between
the new workstation and those already saved in the database,
the database will be updated with the new information.
2) The second phase of the methodology consists in
mapping the production processes, the work flow and the
ergonomics aspects. In the first case the processes times, such
as the setup time, the cycle time, the frequency of the performed
tasks, the recovery time between tasks and other timings are
classified. For the ergonomics aspects, the layout of the
workplace will be measured and the body postures and the
workflow will be identified.
3) Based on the results of the previous phases, it is necessary
to develop rapid ergonomic pre-analyses. These ergonomic
analyses, such as the NIOSH, RULA and OWAS methods, etc.,
identify the body segments exposed to the most stress. This
phase is necessary to identify in the preliminary analysis
whether it is possible to improve the ergonomic conditions
through classical Industrial Engineering solutions.
4) Once the most stressed body segment(s) has (have) been
determined, the focus is shifted to the evaluation of the
working environment indicated in Paragraph 2. It is essential
to analyze these characteristics in order to select an Exoskeleton
adaptable to the working conditions examined. If this equipment
is not provided with adequate protection for certain working
environments, it cannot be selected in the next phases of the
methodology.
5) The information gathered during the previous phases, the
digital modeling and simulation of the “As it is” state can start.
 D. Ippolito, C. Constantinescu, C. A. Rusu / Procedia CIRP 00 (2020) 000–000
246 Daniele Ippolito et al. / Procedia CIRP 91 (2020) 243–248
4
This fundamental phase involves the use of a Digital Twin
to reproduce exactly and precisely the tasks performed in real
workplaces. Through a careful modeling of the working
environment, the simulation of the tasks carried out by the
workers is executed by the Digital Twin. The Digital Twin tool,
compared to the methods generally used in industry [14],
enables us to monitor with precision each movement made by
a worker. It is possible so to examine the impact that each
movement has on a possible appearance of MSD. The software
used express results of the ergonomic state of the workstation
and in particular the most stressed segments of the human body
can be identified. The difference between phase 5 and phase 2
consists in the involvement of the Digital Twin, which provides
the possibility to investigate in detail, in a digital environment
which joint, muscles or skeletal parts are more stressed during
the execution of the working task. The modelling and
simulation phase in the digital environment is performed using
the following software: Classic Jack 9.0 – ©Siemens PLM
Software. Siemens Jack 9.0 is an independent product provided
by Siemens PLM Software for Human Ergonomic Analysis
[15, 16].
6) The selection of the Exoskeleton is then made by
inserting some filters and information obtained in the previous
phases, which allow to reduce the number of Exoskeletons
selectable. The team uses a database developed in previous
years that is called ExoMatch [13]. This system is equipped
with equations that allow to give a score, based on different
parameters, to the Exoskeletons available, thus facilitating the
choice of the team.
7) In this phase the Digital Twin again fulfils a fundamental
role. The digital models of the Exoskeletons can be coupled to
the human model and act as in reality [17]. The digitization of
the "As it should be" condition allows to evaluate how the
working space that the worker needs changes, what kind of
constraints and collisions occur when the worker wears the
device and the amount of physical support that the device offers
to the wearer. This phase of the methodology offers us a digital
validation of the Exoskeleton integration before the final
introduction as a tool in the workplace. In practice, the Digital
Twin, wearing the selected Exoskeleton, is required to
reproduce the simulated tasks, previously simulated in the “As
it is” state. The new ergonomics analyses will be processed and
compared with the previous ones. If this comparison shows that
the integrated Exoskeleton does not bring sufficient
improvements, a new device, if available, will be selected from
the database and new simulations will be performed in order to
determine the suitable Exoskeleton for the studied case.
Otherwise, if this comparison shows that the integrated
Exoskeleton provides satisfactory improvements of the
workers´ ergonomic conditions, the method moves on the final
recommendations phase, which expresses information on the
changes of the layout of the working environment, of the
production schedule, etc.
In case a new model of Exoskeleton goes out on the market
or has to be integrated in the ExoMatch database, it is the
research team´s task to identify all its features and update the
used database. To do this, an approach has been developed and
shown in the center of Figure 1. The team started with the
concept of coupling the Exoskeleton to the humanoid,
generated in Human Jack, and to visualize the technology in
the work environment (stage a) [17]. Once the coupling has
been properly performed, it is essential to identify the
combined performance of the worker with the Exoskeleton.
The constraints that the device applies on the worker must be
correctly examined and the supports in terms of forces
efficiently evaluated.
To successfully perform this aspect the simulation phase
will start and the motions and postures of the worker must be
analyzed (stage b). In order to have an exact idea of how the
worker interacts with this device, it is necessary to perform
reliable experiments in the laboratory. These experiments,
conducted using Electromyography sensors EMG applied in the
proximity of the most solicitous segments of the body and
identified previously, offer clear indications on the stress to
which the musculoskeletal system is subjected. The sensors
capture the electric signal that the muscle release under the load.
The stage c of the process consists in the ergonomics analysis
evaluation that highlight the effects of the technology on the
workplace. This part is critical in the understanding of the
deeper effects of the device on the human anatomy for short and
long term. Step d concerns the optimization of the
humanoid/exoskeleton model. This step involves a verification
and validation of the interactions between the worker and the
device.
8) The eighth phase of the methodology is to redefine or
modify the layout of the workstation, the additional time
required, reported in Paragraph 2, and the instructions that
workers or companies must follow for the best use and care of
the device. Adequate instruction to the workers on the
Exoskeleton control, the setting of the setup parameters, the
care of the hygiene of the parts in contact with the worker's
sweat and the cleaning of the mechanical parts of the device are
provided in this phase.
9) The final phase consists in the final integration of the
device into the workstation.
3.2 Applicability of the method to a real workplace
An exemplary validation case in the construction sector
demonstrates the applicability of the described method. The
worker tasks consist in stabilizing the floor of a silos for the
production of biogas in a waste-water treatment plant.
Heavy stones with a weight of 20 kg and the following
dimensions (30 cm x 24 cm x 23 cm) have to be positioned on
the floor (314𝑚𝑚2 ) as shown in Figure 2 (a) and (b). The process
times for each individual operation last between 20 and 30
seconds, followed by 20/30 seconds of rest.
Fig.2: © Exo4LogiProd: (a) Final assembly disposition;
(b) Working task.
These operations are repeated hundreds of times for the 8
working hours. In the analysis step, based on the impossibility
of establishing the precise number of repetition performed in a
day, the research team predicted that this task would be
repeated 400 times in a day considering 5 minute breaks for
each working hour and 30 minutes of lunch break. The digital
ergonomics analysis, obtained after the development of the "As
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Daniele Ippolito et al. / Procedia CIRP 91 (2020) 243–248
5
it is" digital state, reveals that the most stressed human body
segments were the L4/L5 vertebrae, as shown in Figure 4.
Based on these results a commercial active Exoskeleton
model has been selected and coupled on the Human Manikin
as shown in Figure 3(a) and 3(b).
Fig.3: Digital Twin of the hybrid human-Exoskeleton Worker (a) Back part;
(b) Front part. © Fraunhofer IAO
The choice of this Exoskeleton is strongly based on the
analysis of the following parameters:
 the redesign of the workplace and the use of traditional
industrial engineering solutions, such as industrial
manipulators or Human-robot collaboration, was not
possible. The design of the silo is centred on the use of
it and cannot be redefined. The industrial manipulators
and the Human-robot collaboration cannot be installed
due to the complexity of the working environment;
 the body segments exposed to the greatest stress are
the lumbar vertebrae L4/L5. It is necessary to select an
Exoskeleton that supports this area of the body;
 the weight of the manipulated parts is 20kg. It is
necessary to select an active Exoskeleton since a
passive Exoskeleton, even if lighter, is not able to
provide enough support to bring the physical stress
revealed through the Lower Back analysis instrument
within the safety regulation from MSD;
 the supplier of such Exoskeletons is located in the
vicinity of the user company. This aspect facilitates the
contact and the opportunity of counselling by the two
actors;
 the supplier of such an Exoskeleton has solid
experience in this field.
Fig.4: © Exo4LogiProd: Digitalization of the “As it is” situation.
The simulation of the “As it should be” status was
performed and the results, which comply with safety
247
regulations, have been identified, as shown in Figure 5. The
results presented in Figure 5 have been validated by
experiments performed by the research group. The used tool
and shown in Figures 4 (“As it is” state) and 5 (“As it should
be “state) is named Lower back analysis and gives the
possibility of evaluating spinal forces acting on the lower back
(skeletal part) and on the erector spinae muscles by using a
complex biomechanical low back model based on the NIOSH
methods [5]. Applying Electromyographic sensors (EMG) on
the body part that previously was identified as most stressed
and, wearing the commercial Exoskeleton selected in our
database, the working task was executed similarly in
laboratory.
To capture the stimuli of the erector spine muscles (muscles
near the lumbar vertebrae) the EMG sensors were applied as
shown in Figure 6(a). The activity of the muscle (measured in
microvolts) was directly related to the amount of muscle
contraction as well as the number of contracted muscles. When
the muscle contraction was stronger and implied a higher
number of activated muscles, the voltage amplitude raised.
Figure 7 shows a first difference between lifting and
lowering the manipulated product. In addition, there is a
difference between the stresses involved in performing the
operation without the Exoskeleton and with the commercial
Exoskeleton by configuring three different setup options.
Fig.5: © Exo4LogiProd: Digitalization of the “As it should be” situation.
The lifting task, executed with the selected Exoskeleton,
compared to lifting task without it, leads to a 58% reduction in
muscle activity. For the average values, a 27% reduction in
muscle activity is shown. The resulting data were centralized
and analyzed by comparing the usual transport, lifting and
flexion effort to the reduced stress of the device, and the setting
used for the Exoskeleton controller as the physical capacity of
the subject was taken into account. The results from the lab
were also detected in the ergonomic analysis performed on the
software.
Fig.6: © Exo4LogiProd: EMG sensors placement on the erector
spine muscle of the tester.
 D. Ippolito, C. Constantinescu, C. A. Rusu / Procedia CIRP 00 (2020) 000–000
248 Daniele Ippolito et al. / Procedia CIRP 91 (2020) 243–248
6
The integration of the Exoskeleton ended with
recommendations for the protection of the device against dirt
and dust and instructions for treating the hygiene of parts in
contact with the worker's body. A storage rack was provided
as well outside the silos to avoid obstructing the work space.
Fig.7: © Exo4LogiProd: Task of unloading – With and without
Exoskeleton
4. Conclusion and future work
The developed method provides a clearer perspective on
the planning of workplaces with integrated Exoskeletons. The
Digital Twin is fundamental for the existence of the described
method since it allows to collect accurate results that with
traditional methods would not be possible to obtain in a short
time. The fundamental aspect is the observation of the
performance of the humanoid/Exoskeleton in the digital world,
allowing a digital validation of a possible integration of an
Exoskeleton in the workplace. The ethical, legal and social
cannot be faced at the moment in our methodology due to the
fact that technical definitions and certifications, or rather a
declaration of conformity, are still non-final and not clearly
solved challenges for most world markets [18, 19].
New experiments with complex software such as
©Anybody are planned in order to verify and validate the
results obtained with the ©Siemens Classic Jack software.
New couplings between digital Human Model and other
research prototypes or commercial Exoskeleton and new
ergonomic analyses will be performed. A new digital model,
humanoid/Exoskeleton is currently being studied.
The objective of these studies will be to raise awareness
of value and capabilities that Exoskeletons can provide in
manufacturing environments. Additionally, it will support the
assessment of Exoskeleton integration for the whole shift or
the recommendation of hybrid work models, with and without
Exoskeleton in specific time intervals of the shift, day and
week of the working activity. These results will also enable a
more facile way to introduce the devices in the workplaces of
the future.
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