Globalization and the resulting increase in competition present companies with various challenges. In addition to the need for short production times at low costs, the increasing demand for individualized products leads to greater product variance and thus the need for flexible production processes and a variety of activities. The necessary flexibility often makes the use of rigid automation solutions inappropriate and instead requires the use of targeted assistance. In addition to cognitive assistance technologies such as virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR), physical support systems such as exoskeletons are a way of relieving the physical strain on employees.

In order to support employees individually and depending on the context, exoskeletons must be adapted to the support situation - which is an interplay of people, activity and technology. Individual, task- and user-specific requirements and the technical mode of operation play an important role here. Individual support describes the ability of the system to adapt to the person with their experience and qualifications. In addition to the basic design, which must adapt to people's anthropometry, the system should take into account the individual abilities, working methods and physical condition of employees with regard to functionality and support performance. Support should also be considered in relation to the context. The context describes the activity with central characteristics in a specific working environment that is carried out by a person, possibly with the aid of appropriate tools, under the prevailing external influences.

Exemplary exoskeletons

Three specially developed active systems for individual and context-dependent support serve as examples:

The Lucy exoskeleton (Fig. 1) uses pneumatic actuators and has a hybrid basic structure with a flexible back section and rigid shoulder-arm kinematics to support activities at head height and above. Due to its good dynamic properties and natural compressibility, the compressed air used is suitable for actuating an inherently safe system and therefore for safe interaction with people. The kinematics can be adapted to the user's individual anthropometry via a quick-release system and to the support characteristics via a control element. In addition to the support height, the support curve can also be adjusted.