Lighweight Exosuit Minimizes Risk of Back Injury
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, back pain is the top work-related health problem. The Apex from HeroWear minimizes the potential for injury by making loads 50 pounds lighter when an employee lifts and bends.
HeroWear developed the Apex back-assist exosuit in conjunction with the Center for Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology at Vanderbilt University. Because women make up half the industrial workforce, the four-component modular design easily fits women as well as men.
Exoskeletons are wearable devices that augment physical activity. Rather than a battery-powered motor that adds weight, the wearer turns the 3.4-pound Apex exosuit from HeroWear LLC (Nashville, TN) on and off by pushing a button. A proprietary clutch mechanism routes more than 50 pounds of force throughout the suit to alleviate strain when bending and lifting. This can take thousands of pounds of weight off a worker’s back in a single day.
The textile-based breathable suit is available in 50 fit combinations to fit women as well as men. With its four modular components, it can be adjusted to fit virtually any shape and size employee.
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