Analysis of agricultural applicability of arm-support exoskeletons with simulated orchard pruning and harvesting tasks

Repetitive upper limb movements involved in pruning and harvesting tasks can cause musculoskeletal disorders, threatening the sustainability of the agricultural workforce. The present study determines whether arm-support exoskeletons (ASEs) would be an effective intervention to reduce the physical strain associated with manual pruning and harvesting tasks in orchard agriculture. Participants (n = 24; sex-balanced) performed simulated pruning and harvesting tasks at four different heights using two commercially available ASEs. Muscle activity, perceived exertion, task completion time, and usability were measured. The results indicated that ASEs significantly reduced muscle activity in the upper limbs. However, this resulted in additional strain on other body parts, such as the lower back and lower limbs, and increased task completion time. These findings highlight the need for continuous research and systematic designs to pursue feasible interventions for implementing ASEs in orchard agriculture. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to understanding the potential benefits and limitations of using ASEs in pruning and harvesting tasks, specifically in the context of orchard agriculture.