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Analysis of Exoskeleton Introduction in Industrial Reality: Main Issues and EAWS Risk Assessment

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Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors (AHFE 2017)

Part of the book series: Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing ((AISC,volume 602))

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Abstract

Exoskeletons are part of the technological and organizational innovation sought by the fourth industrial revolution to support and re-launch the manufacturing area. In the present study, we described the experimental protocol designed to test the usability and acceptance of an upper limbs passive exoskeleton. In total, 42 workers from FCA plants volunteered to participate in the research study. The testing campaign included static and dynamic tests aimed at evaluating the potential benefit of the exoskeleton (lessen muscle strain, higher comfort rating and dexterity) vs. possible restrictions to movements and work-device interactions in tasks resembling work activities. Open questions remain on how to assess the biomechanical workload risk, especially in the design phase, for which holistic methods like EAWS are needed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Chiara Carnazzo, Valentina Gabola and Marco Bechis for their valuable support during the experimental activities and the data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles - Manufacturing Engineering – Ergonomics Torino, Turin, Italy

    Stefania Spada, Lidia Ghibaudo & Silvia Gilotta

  2. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129, Turin, Italy

    Laura Gastaldi & Maria Pia Cavatorta

Authors
  1. Stefania Spada
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  2. Lidia Ghibaudo
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  3. Silvia Gilotta
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  4. Laura Gastaldi
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  5. Maria Pia Cavatorta
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lidia Ghibaudo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of IELM, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong

    Ravindra S. Goonetilleke

  2. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA

    Waldemar Karwowski

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Spada, S., Ghibaudo, L., Gilotta, S., Gastaldi, L., Cavatorta, M.P. (2018). Analysis of Exoskeleton Introduction in Industrial Reality: Main Issues and EAWS Risk Assessment. In: Goonetilleke, R., Karwowski, W. (eds) Advances in Physical Ergonomics and Human Factors. AHFE 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 602. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60825-9_26

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60825-9_26

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-60824-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-60825-9

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

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