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Impacts of Using Passive Back Assist and Shoulder Assist Exoskeletons in a Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector Environment

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS Passive back-assist exoskeletons (BAEs) and a passive shoulder-assist exoskeleton (SAE) were field tested among 14 workers who perform stocking and tire installation tasks. Heart rate (HR) and step rate were collected from eight workers both with and without exoskeleton use, and subjective feedback was obtained from all 14 workers who used the devices for one full work shift. For workers who used the SuitX™ BackX, mean HR increased 6.8% while mean step rate was reduced by 17.4% compared to without the device. For workers who used the Levitate™ AIRFRAME, mean HR decreased by 3.4% and mean step rate was reduced by 20.5% compared to without the device. Workers reported perceived benefits and a willingness to use an exoskeleton for at least part of their shift. However, they also indicated concerns about movement quality, task performance, and comfort. These results call into question the potential for the occupational exoskeletons tested to prevent injury by reducing physiological fatigue, and suggest that there are still challenges to consider for tactical deployment to specific jobs, tasks, and workers in the Wholesale and Retail Trade Sector.