Design Summary_Analysis Draft #1

As stated on the website, “Where’s my supersuit?” Zelik (2019) focuses on the understanding and benefits of implementing exoskeletons around the world, which includes “to keep the workers safe and reduce the fatigue of physically demanding jobs.” 

Based on the article, Zelik is interested to see how exoskeleton can be commonly used in public just like smartphones instead of being in the research lab. It tells us that pioneer badge of exoskeleton approved by the FDA have been used to assist on worker’s safety aspect and physical aspect. However, these exoskeletons are very costly, not feasible and uncomfortable.

The article provided in depth information on how exoskeletons could help solve complex low back pain issues, support ankle muscles, prevent neck fatigue, provide motorised assistance and also teach proper lifting techniques. Zelik hopes that the exoskeleton will be commonly used for individual and social benefits.

Exoskeleton suits are very beneficial such that it helps to reduce arm fatigues and also provide great assistance to individuals recovering from stroke.

One of the benefits of exoskeleton suits is it helps to reduce arm fatigues. As stated on a supporting website, “Exoskeletons for industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load” , from Looze (2015) stated that, “Muscle suits” have been designed and utilized to help manual workers who have Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSDs). According to the article, the suit covers the thighs, trunk and upper body parts that consist of the three joints which are the waist, shoulder and elbow. A mechanism of 4 degrees of freedom is designed to allow three orthogonal axes of rotation and transversal sliding center of rotation. The suit helps to support the flexion of shoulder, elbow and trunk in the longitudinal plane. The article also shows that the suit has a positive effect for muscles in the upper body such that it reduces the muscle activity for dynamic lifting in the range of "20–35%" and holding a weight above the head in the range of "30–70%". The results shown in the article shows that "Muscle suits" have great benefit in reducing physical load on the shoulder and arms for occupational activities such as dynamic lifting and carrying.

Another benefit of exoskeleton is it provides great assistance to individuals recovering from stroke. As stated on a supporting website, “Stroke rehabilitation using exoskeleton-based robotic exercisers: Mini Review”, Iqbal (2014) states that robot-assisted therapies have great benefits in terms of “accuracy, precision and repeatability.” Based on the article, the idea of having robot-assisted therapies can create rehabilitation exercises become more engaging and it would replace manual therapies in the years to come. It also states that the clinical results obtained from stroke patients with the aid of robot-assisted therapies are positive. Exoskeleton can not only assist physiotherapists but also provide great assistance to people suffering from stroke to perform normal day to day routine and make it easier for physiologists to understand the work of the human body. Similar to Zelik’s article, it also states that exoskeleton face feasibility problems. For example, actuators can affect the ergonomic structure of the exoskeleton as the bulky structure may be harmful to the “tissues of wearer’s hand” and most existing exoskeleton designs have very restricted specification limits due to the mechatronics limitation.

In conclusion, there are still room for improvement for exoskeleton as the benefits weigh more than its problem. In years to come, the advancement of technology will definitely help solve the exoskeleton development issues and eventually make exoskeleton be commonly used.

Sources:

It’s 2019-Where’s My Supersuit (2019, April 24). Retrieved January 31, 2020, from https://theconversation.com/its-2019-wheres-my-supersuit-115679

Exoskeletons for industrial application and their potential effects on physical work load, Looze (2015, February 20), Retrieved from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00140139.2015.1081988?casa_token=lUOq6HVC3mEAAAAA%3AZySFKwT4lSUjp8sNgsLiDLG5ywp_22-Q5gLBUUMTImN0kbpCtm9do6uLpAjNyy47EjKRdrA1c_SjET4

Stroke rehabilitation using exoskeleton-based robotic exercisers: Mini Review, Iqbal (2014, September 5), Retrieved from http://www.biomedres.info/biomedical-research/stroke-rehabilitation-using-exoskeletonbased-robotic-exercisersmini-review.html

Edited