A new wearable robot that reduces muscle strain during heavy lifting could help improve workplace safety for millions of workers. The device, weighing just 5.2 kg (11.5 pounds), has shown significant effectiveness in reducing muscle strain across multiple body areas simultaneously – an advance over existing solutions.
In a study published in Advanced Intelligence Systems, researchers detailed their soft wearable robot, called “WeaRo,” which decreased muscle activation in key areas prone to workplace injuries. The device achieved notable reductions in muscle strain: up to 18.2% for lower back muscles, 29.1% for biceps, and 27.0% for triceps – all while allowing workers to move naturally.
What distinguishes this innovation is its ability to assist complex movements involving multiple body parts simultaneously. Unlike traditional wearable robots that typically support only single-direction movements at one joint, WeaRo accommodates the natural, multi-directional movements that workers perform during manual handling tasks.
“The significance of this study lies in developing a comprehensive methodology that encompasses movement analysis, wearable robot design, and effectiveness validation to reduce work-related injuries,” said Dr. Dongjun Shin of Yonsei University in the Republic of Korea, who led the research.
The development addresses a pressing workplace safety issue. According to the researchers, manual handling tasks are one of the most common causes of back injuries, accounting for nearly 31.9% of total work-related injuries. The new technology offers a potential solution to this persistent workplace safety challenge.
The device’s lightweight design – incorporating batteries while still weighing just 5.2 kg – makes it practical for extended workplace use. This addresses a common limitation of existing powered assistance devices, which often prove too heavy or cumbersome for practical application in real-world settings.
The researchers conducted extensive testing to validate WeaRo’s effectiveness, examining its performance across various common workplace tasks including lifting, carrying, and placing objects at different heights. Throughout these tests, the device consistently demonstrated its ability to reduce muscle strain while maintaining workers’ natural range of motion.
This advance could have significant implications for workplace safety and worker health, potentially reducing the personal and economic impact of work-related musculoskeletal injuries. As organizations continue to focus on worker safety and well-being, technologies like WeaRo could contribute to creating safer, more sustainable work environments.