Ford unveils exoskeleton vests to lighten the load for workers

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: CBS News

CBS NEWS August 7, 2018, 8:24 AM
Ford unveils exoskeleton vests to lighten the load for workers

FLAT ROCK, Mich. -- Ford Motor Company will unveil its plan Tuesday to use wearable technology to lighten the load on some of its human workers. Exoskeleton vests are being introduced in 15 auto plants in seven countries, and the business of providing technology to augment the human workforce is expected to boom in the coming years. ... As CBS News transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave reports, the vest Ford is giving to employees cost around $6,000. But the goal is to reduce injuries, which is both good for workers and the company, which could save money.

For six years, Nicholas Gotts spends much of the day on the Ford Mustang assembly line, reaching up, and turning screws. ... "My gun is about a pound or two but you lift it up 500 times a day," Gotts said. ... But unlike most workers at Ford's Flat Rock plant, Gotts gets a little extra boost. ... "They call me rocket man or Superman all the time or Mr. Incredible," he said.

The exoskeleton he wears helps maintain good posture, adding up to 15 pounds of support to each arm when it's raised up. ... "Wearing the suit, I'm not 'Oh, I'm tired,' I can go home and have fun and go play catch with the daughter," Gotts said. "Quality of life is a lot better with the suit."

Exoskeletons date back to at least the 1960s when General Electric developed a giant prototype for the military, and they've shown promise in helping people with spinal cord injuries walk. Analysts expect the exoskeleton market to grow from $68 million in 2014 to $1.8 billion by 2025.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?vFvXAooTRi1U

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ford-lightens-the-load-for-workers-with-exoskeleton-vests/

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Yes, LBN, because this is one of those things that are going to change the workplace.

This video was on the news this morning, but I was not inclined to wait through seven or eight commercials and segments on fashion tips to it.

[DetlefK]

1. South Korea invented that in 2016.

https://www.marineinsight.com/future-shipping/exoskeleton-robot-caniron-man-suit-increase-productivity-in-shipyards/

[mahatmakanejeeves]

3. They've been under development for some time. From the OP:

Exoskeletons date back to at least the 1960s when General Electric developed a giant prototype for the military, and they've shown promise in helping people with spinal cord injuries walk. Analysts expect the exoskeleton market to grow from $68 million in 2014 to $1.8 billion by 2025.

From 2013:

Students Build Award-Winning Robot Exoskeleton

This one's in South Korea:

Another video. The exoskeleton segment starts at 5:29.

YouTube has lots of videos showing the development of exoskeletons for use by those with spinal cord injuries.

Thanks for writing.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Do the muscles weaken because they do less work?

and therefore what seems like less work now is just as much work as it always was later?

[mahatmakanejeeves]

5. If that muscle is getting exercised less, I guess so, but you're also avoiding

repetitive motion injuries.

[JohnnyRingo]

6. Don't worry, they'll add more work.

It's the nature of corporate greed. If a worker can comfortably lift a weight, Ford will add more weight to the point knees begin to buckle. If a worker could lift a differential before, now he can install the transmission as well, and hurry up about it.

I'm a retired GM auto worker.

[procon]

4. I can think of many types of jobs where these human assist devices would

help workers. This is just the infancy of this technology, but the demand will grow as both employers and workers see a benefit to using such equipment. The competition to invent the newest, most useful tech will drive rapid development and still more applications that haven't even been thought of yet.

[LakeSuperiorView]

7. Masonry could benefit greatly - placing heavy blocks precisely takes a toll.

[Bayard]

8. I've seen this movie

It didn't end well for the humans.....

[mahatmakanejeeves]

9. I was thinking of another movie:

[Adrahil]

10. I dunno... it worked out for her....

[brush]

13. Just what I was thinking. Sooner rather than later someone will say...

let's cut out the middle man (human), and make a an injury proof, non-paid, no benefits needed, non-complained, non-tiring exo-robot to do the whole job.

[Javaman]

11. coming to you from ford...

the new and improved slave wager.

"damn it, man, you have the exo dealie on, you can work faster and lift more! don't give me shit about you being tired".

[Maxheader]

12. Asked some ag guys if this would work on the farm..

See what that site comes back with..

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. These Lowe's employees are now wearing exoskeletons to work

Future Tense

These Lowe's employees are now wearing exoskeletons to work

by Matt McFarland @mattmcfarland
May 15, 2017: 9:01 AM ET

A handful of Lowe's employees have a new work uniform: an exoskeleton.

The home improvement retailer is testing exoskeletons on four employees at a Christiansburg, Virginia, store to make it easier to lift objects and stock shelves. Some Lowe's (LOW) employees spend 90% of their time moving and lifting everything from bags of cement to huge buckets of paint.

Wearing the exoskeleton is somewhat similar to putting on a rock climbing harness and a backpack. The suit also includes attached carbon-fiber shafts that run down a person's back and thighs. The shafts flex and store energy as a person bends over to pick something up. When the employee stands, the rods straighten and the energy releases, making the task easier. The process is similar to how a bow releases energy when an arrow is launched.

Lowe's developed the exoskeleton in partnership with Virginia Tech engineering professor Alan Asbeck. For years, engineers have tinkered with exoskeletons and exoskeletons as a way to augment human abilities with extra mechanical powers.
....

CNNMoney (Washington)
First published May 15, 2017: 9:01 AM ET

[LanternWaste]

15. Seems a big step up from the cinch-belts I used to wear when I worked in the medical district.

Though no one forced us to do extra work because of them, nor did my muscles deteriorate... just another effective tool for the job.

[jrandom421]

16. And all this time I thought

the exclusive patents were held by Stark International.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man%27s_armor

[ansible]

17. This type of technology will be really useful in nursing

Moving patients around is a big challenge, I hope the tech keeps improving and becomes more powerful as well