Logo Exoskelett Lab

Improve working conditions: Test center features exoskeletons and logistics course

About the lab

Exploring technology and testing systems

In the exoskeleton test center, we conduct subject studies in a test course with typical logistical main and secondary activities (picking, loading and unloading, transport operations). Using subjective and objective methods, the suitability of the various exoskeletons for specific activities is investigated, among other things, and influencing factors for practical use and for integration into work organizational processes are derived. In addition, potential users can get to know the technology in introductory workshops and test the existing systems. The exoskeleton test center is integrated into the »Design of sociotechnical systems«clan.

Exoskeletons are support systems worn on the body and are designed to create physical relief for users. Exoskeletons offer the opportunity to design workplaces that cannot be ergonomically optimized either technically or organizationally in a more advantageous way and to reduce work-related risk factors. The aim is to prevent MSDs in the long term and to reduce downtime without substituting humans.

Within the framework of the test course, different locations at Fraunhofer IML will be used (picking test center, application center, staircases, etc.).

The exoskeleton test center is aimed at …

… companies looking for solutions to improve working conditions and for the human-oriented and ergonomic implementation of Industrie 4.0 design perspectives.

Equipment

Different exoskeleton classes and setups

In the exoskeleton test center, different exoskeleton classes (overhead, back support) and set-up types (soft and rigid, active and passive) will be investigated with regard to factors such as experienced effectiveness, movement behavior and usability. The following technical equipment is planned for this purpose:
  • three passive exoskeletons for back support
  • one active exoskeleton for back support
  • one to two passive exoskeletons for relief during overhead work
  • motion capture system for movement analysis
  • wearables for recording vital parameters
  • The work is carried out by three research assistants as well as student assistants and interns.

Contact person

Portraitfoto von Semhar Kinne

Semhar Kinne
+49 231 9743 148
Email

Foto von Veronika Kretschmer

Dr. Veronika Kretschmer
+49 231 9743 483
Email

Portraitfoto von Sebastian Bonna

Sebastian Bonna
+49 231 9743 184
Email

Current news

++ In June 2021, the exoskeleton test center was presented at the 21st triennial congress of the International Ergonomics Association. ++ ++

Publications

Kinne S., Bednorz N., Kretschmer V., Griese L. (2021) Reality-Based Laboratory for Exoskeleton Studies in Logistics. In: Black N.L., Neumann W.P., Noy I. (eds) Proceedings of the 21st Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2021). IEA 2021. IEA 2021. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 221. Springer, Cham.

Kinne S., Kretschmer V., Bednorz N. (2020) Palletising Support in Intralogistics: The Effect of a Passive Exoskeleton on Workload and Task Difficulty Considering Handling and Comfort. In: Ahram T., Karwowski W., Pickl S., Taiar R. (eds) Human Systems Engineering and Design II. IHSED 2019. Advances in intelligent systems and computing, vol 1026. Springer, Cham.

Bednorz, N.; Kinne, S.; Kretschmer, V. (2019). Ergonomics support in logistics – Industrial use of exoskeletons at palletizing and picking workstations. GfA Spring Congress, 27.02.-01.03.2019, Dresden, Dortmund: GfA-Press, 2019, ISBN: 978-3-936804-25-6.