Research & Development
Research-to-Standards (R2S)
The conceptual framework for this team is based on the idea that standards should be constructed and integrated with high-quality, objective research.
“To accelerate exo technology research, standards, testing, and training by building trust and confidence, creating strong global partnerships, and creating a knowledge center.”
R2S Roadmap
The ET CoE plans to identify, evaluate, and prioritize key topics to form the foundation of a research-to-standards roadmap with input from government agencies, regulators, and subcommittee chairs in ASTM International’s
Committee on Exoskeletons and Exosuits (F48). The roadmap will help facilitate the development of much needed, high-value standards to benefit the global exo community.
Research to Standards Projects
Longitudinal Health Effects of Shoulder Exoskeletons in the Manufacturing Sector
Responsible Partner: NIOSH
A longitudinal design will be adopted to assess the health effects of existing passive shoulder exoskeleton users for repetitive overhead assembly work in a manufacturing setting. Aggregated injury and associated workers’ compensation cost information will be collected over a two-year period. A subset of study participants randomly selected from the study cohort will undergo shoulder and back functional assessments at their work sites. The aggregated injury/workers’ compensation information and shoulder functional information will be collected by participating companies at three time points: baseline, one-year follow-up, and two-year follow-up.
NIOSH investigators are responsible for recruiting the selected subjects for the shoulder and back functional tests. A NIOSH-funded contractor will conduct the back functional assessment at study sites using the clinical lumbar motion monitor at two time points (baseline and one-year follow-up). Injury and workers’ compensation data will be submitted to NIOSH through a website created and managed by ASTM. NIOSH investigators will receive de-identified data that will not be linkable to a specific company or participant. The aggregated injury/workers’ compensation information will be analyzed and interpreted by pooling data across multiple sites of multiple participating companies.
In addition, quantitative statistical analyses of the aggregated outcome measures will be performed for determining statistical differences between the study groups. The study will assess three types of outcomes:
Number of musculoskeletal injury cases, lost work time, and workers’ compensation costs (medical and indemnity) for the cases;
Identifiable changes in shoulder function; and
Risk of impaired back function of study participants.
The study data will be made anonymous, and no personal data of the users will be shared. ASTM will collect, house, and manage data submitted from external resources related to safety concerns and injury incidents tied to exoskeleton usage. Some industries participating in this study include aerospace, military, automotive, and manufacturing.
Currently, ASTM has created a secure Sharepoint site for the data and is actively pursuing data usage agreements with the study participants.
Metrology for Emerging Technology, Robotics, and Exoskeletons (METRE) intended for Industry and Public Safety
Responsible Partner: NIST
The goal of METRE is to develop a set of user defined requirements in the application of exoskeletons within the domain of emergency response. The pre-normative research will lead to standard test methods to evaluate performance of exoskeletons in two key areas: the fit and motion of the exoskeleton device with respect to the users’ body and the impact that using an exoskeleton has on the performance of users executing tasks that are representative of activities of first responders.
Investigating Critical Challenges and Potential Solutions Towards Developing Standards to Guide the Proper Use of Exoskeleton for injured Workers’ Return to Work
Responsible Partner: University of Michigan - Dearborn
A guide on how to use advanced digital human modeling techniques and ergonomic analysis methods to aid Return to Work decisions using exoskeletons will be developed.
Expected outcomes from this project:
Develop a method for the identification of the limitations and benefits of the use of exoskeleton by injured workers.
Generate a reference chart for a quick fetch of the approximate exoskeleton supports in the sample conditions.
Identify initial exoskeleton design gaps and needs to accommodate injured workers.
Design a sample application as an information system, training, and risk management reference for medical providers in the selection and timing for the proper use of exoskeleton.
Design a sample application as auxiliary training materials for return-to-work exoskeleton users.
WK65347 Standard Guide for Utilization of Digital Human Modeling
Rapid Development of Exoskeleton Test Method Standards
Responsible Partner: Smart HLPR
The following list of standards topics, from ASTM committee on Task Performance and Environmental Considerations (F48.03) Roadmap of Standards to Develop, will be used to guide completed drafts to go to ASTM ready for evaluation and testing.
Development of Measurement Protocols for Efficient and Reliable Exoskeleton Testing and Evaluation
Responsible Partner: Virginia Tech
A systematic, lab-based study to support future decisions regarding study protocols (i.e., number of trials and sessions) for a given exoskeleton type and task of interest.
Reliable and efficient assessments of the effects of exoskeleton use are critical to support the development of testing and evaluation standards and use recommendations.
Several task types (basic activities, static tasks, and dynamic tasks) are being examined, and a broad set of objective and subjective measures will be obtained, including muscle activation levels, joint kinematics, perceived exertion, and aspects of usability.
Completing the proposed work will provide important practical information to enable efficient and reliable assessments of EXO use under different task conditions.
