Department of Industrial Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA.
IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors. 2023 Jul-Oct;11(3-4):71-80. doi: 10.1080/24725838.2023.2262480. Epub 2023 Oct 6.
OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSMultiple occupational exoskeletons have been developed recently with potential to reduce physical demands, muscle fatigue, and risk of over-exertion injuries in manufacturing, yet there are currently challenges in practical, large-scale deployment. We explored how stakeholder perceptions of exoskeletons were affected by exposure to passive arm- and back-support exoskeletons. Our outcomes indicate that even brief exposure to exoskeletons can positively influence worker and stakeholder perceptions on the usefulness and safety of exoskeletons. However, worker concerns about device usability and acceptability in the field were not mitigated by such brief exposure. This work may help manufacturing industry stakeholders understand what technology-adoption factors need further consideration when planning for exoskeleton deployment.
职业应用 最近开发了多种职业外骨骼，有望减少制造业的体力需求、肌肉疲劳和过度劳累受伤的风险，但在实际的大规模部署中目前仍存在挑战。我们探讨了接触被动手臂和背部支撑外骨骼如何影响利益相关者对其的看法。我们的结果表明，即使是短暂接触外骨骼也可以对外骨骼的有用性和安全性产生积极影响工人和利益相关者的看法。然而，工人对外骨骼在现场的设备可用性和可接受性的担忧并没有因这种短暂的接触而减轻。这项工作可能有助于制造业利益相关者了解在计划外骨骼部署时需要进一步考虑哪些技术采用因素。
