Exoskeletons cover different products: passive workplace supports, powered industrial systems and medical rehabilitation or mobility devices. A result from one device and task does not demonstrate the safety or benefit of another. We removed the earlier unsourced injury-reduction percentages, study results and blanket regulatory statements.
Define the intended task
| Use case | What to establish before selecting a device |
|---|---|
| Overhead work | Tool weight, arm position, task duration and required range of movement |
| Repeated handling | Load geometry, lifting frequency, walking distance and other handling aids |
| Standing or bending | Workstation layout, entry and exit, movement restrictions and fit |
| Clinical rehabilitation | Patient eligibility, prescribed use, trained supervision and device-specific labelling |
Begin with the task and work environment, not a product's maximum assistance number. Consider whether a workstation change, lift aid or tool balancer would address the problem with less complexity. An exoskeleton should not be assumed to make an otherwise unsuitable lifting task acceptable.
Design a useful workplace trial
Set the evaluation criteria before a demonstration. Compare the same task with and without the device, record task duration, interruptions, fit adjustments and user feedback, and include the actual work clothing and other protective equipment. Plan supervised introduction and a clear way for participants to stop the trial.
Look for interference when climbing, turning, reaching, sitting or leaving the work area. Include cleaning, storage and maintenance in the evaluation. Report the number of participants and the length of the trial; a short demonstration cannot establish a long-term injury reduction rate.
Read evidence at the right level
A change in measured muscle activity is not automatically a reduction in injuries, compensation claims or absence. To use a study in a business case, identify the exact device, task, participant population, comparator and outcome. Record whether the result is a manufacturer statement or independently published research.
For a medical device, verify the exact authorised intended use and patient population. The FDA device search provides decision records where the 510(k) pathway applies. “FDA registered” and a clearance for another model do not establish clearance of the device being proposed.
Compare cost without assuming health savings
Separate purchase or rental, fitting, training, cleaning, consumables, maintenance and replacement. For an illustrative $6,000 device with $600 annual upkeep used for three years, undiscounted ownership cost is $7,800 before training and other costs. At 600 productive hours per year that is $4.33 per hour; at 300 it is $8.67. These are scenario inputs, not current product prices.
Use the exoskeleton directory to discover options and request current documentation. Medical selection and workplace safety decisions need the appropriate qualified professionals and an evaluation of the actual setting.
Define stop criteria and ownership
Name the person who can approve, pause and end the trial. Write stop criteria for pain, restricted movement, unexpected contact, damaged equipment, hygiene failure or a task change outside the assessed scope. Record each event and the response instead of describing a trial only through participant impressions.
Before wider use, assign ownership for fitting records, inspection intervals, cleaning, battery handling where applicable, software changes and incident review. Repeat the task assessment after a device, workstation, tool or production method changes. This record shows what was actually tested and prevents a result from one workplace or participant being presented as proof for another.
Before requesting prices for a particular use, work through the exoskeleton quotation checklist and record fitting, training and support requirements separately.
