Exoskeleton for Industrial Workers Is Unveiled by Two Companies; To Launch in 2016 and Revolutionize the Industrial Market

Development of exoskeletons has long been known, but previous models have mostly been restricted to military support, rehabilitation therapies, and laboratories. Going against the current, Ekso Bionics and Robo-Mate unveil their new creations, which hold their visions of enhancing human mobility, improving productivity, and speeding up the backbreaking processes involved in various industrial projects.

Robo-Mate

First to reveal their industrial skeleton is the European brand Robo-Mate, which has been in development since 2013. Prof. Wernher van de Venn, a coordinator for the project, explains that the exoskeleton prototype features three main modules: arm, trunk, and leg.

The arm module supports the lifting of heavy equipment and materials, reducing the burden up to a tenth of the actual weight. The trunk module stabilizes and supports the back, preventing the twisting of spine and slipped discs. Finally, the leg module supports the inner thighs, stiffening and forming a sort of seat when the user squats.

Robo-Mate has held a live demonstration at the Franuhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering in Stuttgart, Germany last June 12. However, the team behind it reveals that there are several adjustments that still need to be implemented, including safety features and a streamlined design necessary for everyday use.

Ekso Bionics

Directly competing with a more refined product is Berkeley-headquartered Ekso Bionics. Similar to Robo-Mate, the concept for their exoskeleton, dubbed the "Ekso Works," has been lingering since 2013.

Cyrus Farivar of Ars Technica has been recently given the chance to try Works, and he describes the experience as surreal-as close as one can possibly be from "having superpowers."

The Ekso Works feature a sturdy frame that ends with shoe platforms, which hold the overall weight of both the exoskeleton and its user, making the product and its supplements feel virtually weightless.

The metal brackets from the feet break with a hinge around the knees, allowing the user to bend and jump without any hindrance. Supporting the back is a ring that goes around the waist, with a swing arm fitted at the right hip and a slim backpack wherein weighted discs are placed to maintain balance. The swing arm supports large power tools required in construction, minimizing the weight burdening the user.

Ekso Works is set to launch in 2016. Financial analyst Jeffrey Cohen estimates Works to retail at roughly $12,000 and predicts the company to become a profitable jewel with annual revenue of $94 million by 2018.