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BACK EXOSKELETONS & EXOSUITS

Back exoskeleton being used within the healthcare industry to help staff lift and carry patients

HAPO EXOSKELETONS

The HAPO system is a very light, passive and spring-loaded wearable exoskeleton that supports people who carry out physically demanding and repetitive tasks.

The HAPO supports the upper body through the partial transfer of forces from the upper trunk (via the chest support) to the thighs, without compressing the spine.

 

This system assists in the manual handling of loads, providing support and reducing strain on the lower back.

WHY THE HAPO EXOSKELETON?

  • Better management of productivity and performance Helps reduce absenteeism and staff turnover 

  • Helps reduce fatigue

  • Reduces the load on the lower back by 30%

  • Helps the user’s balance and postural stability

  • Encourages the aging population to stay longer into the workforce

  • Helps the local population to face the staff shortage crisis

Allows for great freedom of movement: sitting, walking, taking the stairs

HOW DOES IT WORK

  • Preserves the intervertebral discs regardless of posture

  • Reduces lower back effort as soon as the angle of the back is greater than 5 °

  • Assists the back muscles in straightening the upper body

  • Light (1.2kg) and easy to use: Can be put on in 20 seconds like a backpack

  • Allows for great freedom of movement: sitting, walking, taking the stairs

  • Activate/deactivate system in 1 click

HAPO EXOSKELETONS EXAMPLE IN VINEYARDS

AUXIVO EXOSUIT

The LiftSuit is a lightweight (< 0.9kg), textile exoskeleton that supports back and hip muscles

Providing Support - Anytime, Anywhere


The LiftSuit is a lightweight (< 0.9kg), textile exoskeleton that supports back and hip muscles when lifting objects from below hip level, or when working in a forward-leaning position.

It is designed to reduce workload, muscle fatigue and exhaustion.

YOUR BENEFITS

The LiftSuit is a uniquely versatile support system that provides support for its users' back- and hip muscles anytime and anywhere they need it. As a wearable exoskeleton that is worn like clothes, it can be used in many situations where traditional means, such as cranes or conveyor belts cannot be deployed, e.g. inside airplane holds or buildings. 

WHAT KIND OF WORK IS SUPPORTED?

Lifting Objects

While lifting from below hip-level, the integrated elastic elements store energy when users bend forward, and releases the energy when she/he starts lifting the object. Therefore, the user gets additional energy that can relieve the back and hip muscles. Additionally, the elastic elements foster a proper lifting posture. The LiftSuit does not only support normal lifting, it also supports lifting and handling objects while working on the knees.

Forward-Leaning Posture​

Working for hours in a forward-leaning posture even without any additional weight can strain your back muscles as they carry your upper body weight. Thus, the LiftSuit also supports such posture whereas the elastic elements store the required energy allowing users to rely on the LiftSuit to support them, both when standing or kneeling.

integrated elastic elements store energy when users bend forward, and releases the energy when she/he starts lifting the object
user gets additional energy that can relieve the back and hip muscles
LiftSuit acts like a set of additional, external muscles to unload the back and hip muscles while lifting
Integrated, specially developed textile springs store energy which is then used to support the user

HOW IT WORKS

The LiftSuit acts like a set of additional, external muscles to unload the back and hip muscles while lifting as well as working in a forward leaning position. Integrated, specially developed textile springs store energy which is then used to support the user. The solution offers an easy-to-use, small and lightweight support system that users can wear without being constrained. Users can activate, deactivate and adjust the support manually on demand.

The considerable reduction in muscle activity shows the support provided by the LiftSuit.

Average muscle activity

Average muscle activity reduction of subjects‘ back muscles when lifting 6 kg from the ground and putting it back down. The red line is the average muscle activity without the LiftSuit, the blue line with LiftSuit support.

 

The considerable reduction in muscle activity shows the support provided by the LiftSuit.

LEVEL OF SUPPORT PROVIDED

Muscle Load Reduction

We quantified the level of load reduction through a series of experiments in our biomechanical laboratory. The results show that using the LiftSuit significantly reduces the load on the back and hip muscles when lifting objects or remaining in a forward-leaning posture.

The results show that using the LiftSuit significantly reduces the load on the back and hip muscles when lifting

USE CASES

The LiftSuit is being used today in many applications where lifting or working in a forward-leaning position is conducted regularly. Several examples are shown in the picture below.

Images showing the LiftSuit being used in warhouse packing, tiling, vineyards, labour, packing and roles that require frequent and prelonged bending.

HOW TO USE A LIFT SUIT

With a little training and "getting used to" the LiftSuit is a piece of equipment that you can use very intuitively during work. The following video will give you a quick overview on how to put it on, activate and deactivate the support and about general use and handling of the LiftSuit.

LIFTSUIT 1.X

LIFTSUIT 2.X

INNOPYS EXOSKELETONS

The name Innophys comes from our aim to achieve Innovation for Physical Support.

 

We do not seek to create a robot out of a fantasy; we want to create robots for people. Through these initiatives, we will strive to achieve transformations that make the world a better place, and that make people’s lives easier.

 

Innovation means to achieve something that has never been done before. At Innophys, we are constantly undertaking initiatives to carve out new and unknown terrain. We are working as pioneers, and we can only keep moving forward. We will tackle all issues head on and pave the way ahead.

Picture of the Innopys Exoskeleton from the back
Example of someone wearing the Innopys Exoskeleton carrying a box of wine
Picture of the Innopys Exoskeleton from the front

DAIYA EXOSUITS

Musculoskeletal disorders or accidents can deprive anyone of the freedom of movement. As a manufacturer of musculoskeletal support systems, we desire to help assist people with movement and help them enjoy the things they want to do in life. This is why we focused on the development of artificial muscles.

 

We combine artificial muscles with the human body and supportive technologies cultivated through constant research and development. We continue to evolve so that many people can enjoy an active life.

Daiya is an artificial muscle exoskeleton that is flexible, light and easy to move
Example of the Daiya exoskeleton showing a user lifting a heavy box
Example of the Daiya exoskeleton showing a user using it within the warhousing industry

Wearable muscle technology:

 

An original artificial muscle that is flexible, light and easy to move. With the fitting technology developed for our exosuits, we deliver a range of products to fit your body and movements.

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