Stuttgart Exo-Jacket: An exoskeleton for industrial upper body applications

Abstract

This paper describes the methodic for reduction of load peaks in assembly and logistic tasks using powered exoskeletons. The functional principal of the exoskeleton is explained using an industrial upper body assembly show case. The kinematics, drive and control requirements for these kind of wearable robots are discussed and the technical approaches to the interdisciplinary design of the exoskeleton are briefly explained. The Stuttgart Exo-Jacket is an actively powered exoskeleton basically developed to reduce the musculoskeletal injuries of industrial logistics and montage applications with either stabilizing the arm for upper body assembly tasks or force boosting in logistics by empowering the human joints.