UC researchers looking for the Goldilocks of exosuits

A new device, however, the exosuit, shows promise in assisting with back and shoulder injury prevention. Still, not one of the devices manufactured to date is “just right” says Vesna Novak, PhD, an electrical engineering and computer science professor at the University of Cincinnati.

Novak’s research team studies exosuits, a wearable mobile machine that allows for limb movement with increased strength and endurance.

“Its main weakness is that it's kind of rigid and uncomfortable, so it's good for short-term but not medium-term wear,” says the study’s lead author Maja Gorsic, a postdoctoral researcher under Novak’s tutelage. 

Although study participants found the tasks mildly to moderately easier to perform with the exosuit than without it, “the LiftSuit does not appear to be flexible enough: as it is very stiff around the low back and hips, squatting motions are uncomfortable for wearers,” says Gorsic.

Thus, Novak says, wearers are more likely to lift with their back, leaning their hips back into the exosuit which defeats the purpose. The team compared/contrasted this device with their prior study of the HeroWear Apex suit, which did not appear to have these same issues, but was lacking in other areas.

“Both of the suits had limitations and the Auxivo LiftSuit manufacturer has already made a new version of the suit that they say addresses these issues,” says Novak.

Having academic researchers independently evaluate commercial exoskeletons is common practice, says Novak.

Featured photo at top courtesy of Unsplash/Tromeur.