Status demonstration of the interdisciplinary development regarding the upper limb exoskeleton "Stuttgart Exo-Jacket"

The prevention of work-related diseases is becoming increasingly important in industrial assembly and logistics. Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common type of disease for work disability days in Germany [1] and are particularly focused on demographic change in functional ergonomics concepts. Overhead activities, heavy lifting and working in non-ergonomic postures lead to diseases of the shoulder [2], which cause long off times of the workers [3]. In the first instance, the working process should go without additional tools at all. Therefore, ergonomic principles should be taken into account at the beginning of the value chain in the development and factory planning. Already existing non-ergonomic jobs with a high load on the worker's body need functional alternatives. Body worn exoskeletons, as the Stuttgart Exo-Jacket should reduce load peaks during critical workflows and avoid diseases of the musculoskeletal system without restraining the work processes. In order to support the worker in his operations optimally, aspects from different disciplines have to be taken into account. The interdisciplinary development process of the Stuttgart Exo-Jacket is described in this article, focused on the requirements analysis and test methodology.