Methodology for the knowledge-based selection of occupational exoskeletons.

Abstract

Occupational exoskeletons for industrial workplaces hold significant promise for improving worker ergonomics and safety. However, the successful selection of an exoskeleton depends on informed decision-making processes that consider various factors ranging from biomechanical performance to usability and compatibility with work tasks. This paper presents a methodology that aims to develop a co-simulation-based selection tool for selecting an exoskeleton for specific industrial work tasks. It integrates multidisciplinary knowledge from biomechanics, human factors engineering, and industrial ergonomics for assessing the suitability of exoskeletons across diverse industrial applications. The methodology is designed as a stage-gate process with five main stages corresponding to the product development process. It describes the main tasks in each phase, their results, and the gates between the stages. The tasks and results are derived and detailed from the current literature and preliminary work. The gates include the specification of the simulation and decision-relevant input and output parameters, the design of the co-simulation model consisting of task and biomechanical simulation, the weighting of the individual decision criteria, and the subsequent implementation of the multi-criteria decision analysis to create a ranking of suitable exoskeletons. This work concludes by elaborating on the impact of the novel co-simulation methodology on research and industry. Research implications include advanced simulation methods for exoskeleton evaluation, the systematic comparison of different exoskeletons, and the development of decision analysis models. Benefits to the industry include improved compatibility, informed selection processes, reduced investment risks, and increased technology adoption.