Overview
The 2nd Annual Exo Games, proudly sponsored by ASTM International's Exo Technology Center of Excellence (ET CoE), were held August 5-9, 2024. This initiative aims to enhance student involvement and education in the dynamic field of exo technologies, with a special focus on First Responder applications. NIST is partnering with the ET CoE through a CRADA agreement to develop the underpinning metrology for exoskeletons and promote student STEM involvement.
The Exo Games provide a unique platform for university teams of students from various institutions to connect with exo industry professionals. This competition is designed to foster lifelong relationships, offering participants hands-on experience with the latest exo standards.
Working collaboratively, student teams will embark on the challenge of designing, building, and testing a self-contained exoskeleton based on a provided project specification. Their design solutions will be rigorously evaluated against the predefined standards established by ASTM's exoskeletons and exosuits committee (F48). The competition not only promotes innovation but also mirrors the actions of First Responders, making it a truly impactful experience.
Agenda Overview
The ET CoE is excited to welcome you to the second Annual Exo Games event at ASTM Headquarters.
** Please note that Monday, August 5 is slated for Event and Student Team setup. No Public Events are occurring on Monday, August 5.
Publicly Available Events:
Day 1 – Tuesday, August 6
9 AM - 5:30 PM, ET
Welcome and Kickoff
Poster and Design Competition
First Responder Equipment Overview
Test Method Challenges
Commercial Technology Demonstration
Day 2 – Wednesday, August 7
9 AM - 4:30 PM, ET
Test Method Challenges
Team Presentations
Commercial Technology Demonstration
Day 3 – Thursday, August 8
9 AM - 3 PM, ET
Test Method Challenges
Guest Presentations
Day 4 – Friday, August 9
9 AM - 11 AM, ET
Judges Remarks and Speaker(s)
Exo Games Award Ceremony
View the photos and videos from Exo Games 2024!
Location
Hosted and Sponsored by: ASTM International
100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Date: August 5-9, 2024
Dress Code: Casual. Closed toed shoes required
Participating Teams
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Team Institution: University of Maryland
Team Country: United States
Team URL: https://exogemstone.weebly.com/
Abstract: Since its inception, the profession of firefighting has carried extreme risks of injury to firefighters. Technological advancements have given firefighters increased protection from heat and smoke with the development of fire jackets, pants, and SCBA equipment, however this increase of weight from protective gear has itself become the most prominent source of injury for firefighters. In the past few years, exoskeletons have seen introduction into the manufacturing industry to reduce the physical strain of carried loads on employees. Our team’s research is focused on developing a similar exoskeleton specifically designed for use by firefighters to reduce the number of injuries they endure from heavy turnout gear and lifting objects. Our research hinges around developing a heat resistant, inexpensive, comfortable, and practical exoskeleton as well as a look into creating proper protocol for the deployment and usage of the exoskeleton with input from current and former firefighters. Our exoskeleton uses two springs located on the lower back that connect by cables down to the back of the legs. Here, they compress as the user bends down and aids in lifting. Our springs are connected to a weightlifting belt that fits tightly around the waist of the firefighter which helps redirect incoming forces from the lower back to the core muscles. This decreases the use of lower back muscles by bearing some of the load and protects them from overexertion injuries.
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Team Institution: University Of Central Lancashire
Team Country: England
Team URL: https://adfirth.wixsite.com/team-uclan-exogames
Abstract: Introducing an exoskeleton system designed to support first responders in physically demanding tasks. The exoskeleton utilizes mechanical mechanisms to ground external loads specific to the wearer's tasks. By integrating modular attachments to a fixed passive system, the exoskeleton offers adaptability for various tasks, with different configurations being looked at. The system's main capabilities include support for both upper and lower body movements, with options for passive, and hybrid modes.
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Team Institution: Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Team Country: Belgium
Team URL: https://www.brubotics.eu/exo-games/
Abstract: Our exoskeleton design is based on an analysis of the various to-be-performed tasks during the competition. The design methodology is described starting from experiments (full body kinematics), using musculoskeletal analysis and finally deciding on where support is required during the tasks. Support will be provided on the hip joint and shoulder joint. The back support features an on/off mechanism which can be actuated with a rotary ratcheting system. The shoulder support features a lockable design for arm rest and the back support system is foldable to allow the user to sit down easily or crawl through confined spaces. This is different from commercial designs that don’t feature these foldable parts. This component is however critical in reducing spine compression by increasing the lever arm.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The design of the exoskeleton may be modular. However, once the team chooses a configuration for the test challenges the exoskeleton must stay the same for all the challenges. This avoids any question of whether the changes/configurations/attachments have provided a team with effectively more than one exoskeleton to compete.
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The Team Description Papers (TDPs) will be used to narrow down the competing teams.
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Yes, we can provide a visa letter for attendees. Please email etcoe@astm.org to begin the request.
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Teams are required to bring and wear safety glasses during the challenges.
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Please contact Nora Nimmerichter (nnimmerichter@astm.org) for access to the reading room.
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No, the configuration used for the first challenge will need to be used throughout all 10 challenges. A photo will be taken of your Exo (front and back) so judges can confirm the exo configuration hasn't been changed prior to each challenge.
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No, the person wearing the exoskeleton is considered a part of the system configuration and thus the same person must wear the exoskeleton for all challenges. Exceptions may be made if the person becomes unable to participate for some reason.
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No, a final team roster will need to be submitted with the Final TDP submission due June 28, 2024. If team members change after the final TDP submission due to unforeseen circumstances we will make allowances.
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Yes, the cost of producing the parts by the technicians (i.e., their labor and material costs) should be included in the overall cost of the exoskeleton. In other words, if you have a technician build a part for your exoskeleton this would be costed just like purchasing a component like a battery. If a student produces/manufactures the part, then it is only the cost of the materials.
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The design is evaluated during the poster, presentation, and the physical tests by the judges. There was no need to have a separate section in the specification based on what we learned from the first Exo Games competition.
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The Bill of Materials is included in the scoring of the Poster and Presentation sections.
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The judging criteria for the Presentation Competition is in percentage. The Total number of 150 points is available for this contest. For example, a 15% weight would be 22.5 points of the total 150 points.
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Once the team chooses a configuration for the test challenges the exoskeleton must stay the same for all the challenges. Thus, the donning must match the chosen configuration used for all the tests. The exoskeleton must be in an operational state for the user.
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The scoring criteria on the Poster competition states: “Clear diagram(s) – sketch, rendering or CAD model – of the device with dimensions with units.” The reader of the poster should not have to hunt for what the units are in your drawings. As long as it is clear to a reasonable person when looking at the drawing, the units can be on each axis, stated that all dimensions are a certain unit, or some other common engineering practice for visual dimensioning.
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If your team has been a) accepted for the Exo Games competition, b) fulfilled all requirements AND c) participated in the event, we will publish your TDP on our webpage. The final TDP will be used after the competition. Some of the information on the teams participating and links to your webpages may be published prior to the competition.
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Please do NOT include any proprietary information in your submission.
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The TDP is an overview paper to show how the system performs. The introduction should give an overview of your systems and your approach to the Exo Games. You can certainly talk about the system’s performance. What the directions were trying to communicate is that you have a page limit to the TDP, and you should focus on the overview of the exoskeleton verses using the space to only discuss technical proof of performance that could be put in a separate paper.
Challenges
Exo Games’ Test Method Competition portion are based off of ASTM's Committee F48 exoskeletons and exosuits committee (F48). Teams must design, build, and test an exo technology device to compete in 10 specified challenges included below. More detailed information is given in the Specifications for the Exo Games.
Each of the participating teams are responsible for following Specifications outlined by the ET CoE.
Test 1 - Bomb Squad Walk
The user must put on a 25 lbs weighted vest and pick up two 15 lb weights (i.e., load cylinder artifact), one in each hand. The user must walk 50ft and place the weights on the ground. The user must kneel, squat, or sit down to complete a manual dexterity task. Once the task is complete, the user must retrieve the two weights and walk back 50 ft to the start/finish line.
Test 2 - Cache Packaging for Deployment
Assemble the Ropak once. The task is to take a pallet full of totes (19.8” x 13.8” x 11.8") and move them from the floor into the Ropak container (40” deep X 48” wide X 36” tall) and back out. The boxes are of varying weight up to 40lbs. (refer to ASTM F3443). No instructions are given on how specifically to lift or place down the box. User may carry more than one box at a time if they can do so safely. There are no obstacles in the environment.
Test 3 - CPR
Remove medical bag (20 lbs) from work truck/vehicle. Walk 50 ft traversing an incline (5 degrees) and any transitions to simulated victim (Annie). Perform CPR compressions for 2 minutes on Annie. Pick up medical bag (20 lbs). Walk 50 feet to work truck/vehicle. Place medical bag back in work truck/vehicle.
Test 4 - Townhouse Search
Walk 20 feet traversing through obstacles to find the object of interest (i.e., 20 objects of interest). Judge has a list and selects which one. Walking through a complex terrain which includes ducking under and stepping over obstacles. Perform search using proper search technique. Walk back out with the biscuit.
Test 5 - Firehose Deployment
Take hose off truck/work vehicle. Roll out hose. Drag to coupler. Connect to coupler. Disconnect from coupler. Roll up hose. Put hose back in truck/work vehicle.
Test 6 - Fire Overhaul
Don fire helmet, gloves, and pick up fire hook. Use fire hook to push open a weighted overhead ceiling tile (2); Use fire hook to pull open vertical wall tile (2); Use fire hook to pull up a weighted floor tile (2);
Test 7 - Confined Space
Don fire helmet, gloves, and pick up flashlight. Move (i.e., duck walk, crawl, etc.) through simulated 4-foot culvert pipe for 16 feet. Turn around and come back.
Test 8 - Don/Doff for Work Truck/Vehicle Entry
Don the exoskeleton (Extra points will be given if done alone). Open the door of the work truck/vehicle. Enter the truck cab. Buckle seat belt. Open console and pull-out object of interest. Put object in interest back and close console. Unbuckle seat belt. Exit the work truck/vehicle. Close the door. Doff the exoskeleton.
Test 9 - Valve Turning at Ceiling, Chest Height, and Floor
Turn each valve 360 degrees. Using the Torque Wrench apply X Torque to each bolt.
Test 10 - Ascend and Descend Stairs
stairs, n - a set of steps leading from one floor of a building to a landing or another floor.
The user stands behind a start/end location and walks to the stair apparatus. The user ascends the staircase until reaching the landing or next level. The user turns around 180 degrees. The user descends the staircase. The user walks past the start/end marker.
Awards
1st Place “Challenge Competition” - Team UCLan for the University of Central Lancashire
2nd Place “Challenge Competition” - Team Exo from the University of Maryland
3rd Place “Challenge Competition” - Team VUB from Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1st Place “Design” - University of Maryland
1st Place “Presentation”- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1st Place “Poster”- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
1st Place “Team Description Paper”- Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Judges
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsoring the Exo Games offers your organization an exclusive chance to:
Support and actively engage with the future exoskeleton workforce.
Reach a diverse audience of exoskeleton professionals, leaders, and influencers spanning industry, academia, and regulatory bodies.
Influence and contribute to the sustained growth of the exo industry.
Customized sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on sponsoring the Exo Games, please reach out to etcoe@astm.org. Join us in shaping the future of exoskeleton technology!
Sponsoring Organizations
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
