Work Item
ASTM WK90015

New Practice for Assessment Method for Exoskeletons in Tool Handling: Car Assembly, Construction (drywall and rail systems) and Welding

1. Scope

This practice presents a standardized method for testing and assessing industrial exoskeletons on human subjects in realistic working scenarios with professional users. Since the effectiveness of exoskeletons depends on the respective application, realistic tasks should be carried out in the studies. This document includes work scenarios from from car assembly, dry wall assembly, rail system installation in construction, and manual welding work. A variety of qualitative and quantitative measures can be acquired during testing. The measures are related to the subjects’ biomechanics, metabolics, comfort, usability and work output quality. This practice, combined with the test method, shall be performed in a testing laboratory or the field where the specified apparatus and environmental conditions are implemented. Also, this practice enables the creation of a big pool of data for exoskeletons on test setups and the opportunity to compare and classify the exoskeleton on the global market.

Keywords

exoskeleton, industrial, occupational, assessment, work scenarios, tool handling, construction, automotive, welding

Rationale

No standard currently exists that deals with assessment methods for industrial exoskeletons in realistic activities.

The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.

Details

Developed by Subcommittee: F48.03

Committee: F48

Staff Manager: Nora Nimmerichter

Work Item Status

Date Initiated: 03-18-2024

Technical Contact: Mirjam Holl

Item: 000

Ballot:

Status: