As I walked through the Modex floor, I couldn’t help but notice the increasing presence of wearable robotics. While they may not be as abundant as AMRs (autonomous mobile robots) or storage and retrieval systems, exosuits are gaining popularity for their ability to reduce the strain of repetitive tasks associated with lifting and moving heavy loads all day long.
Although I have written about various companies in this space, I had yet to experience a wearable exosuit for myself. So when the opportunity arose to test Verve Motion’s SafeLift Exosuit, I jumped at the chance. Designed to resemble a backpack and house the necessary battery and electronics, this form-fitting gear is secured over the shoulders with a pair of chest straps. Additional soft straps are then stretched around the thighs and secured with Velcro. Admittedly, it feels a bit awkward, but for most use cases, one probably would not be wearing exosuits on top of business casual attire in a crowded convention center (although who knows?). The entire system weighs in at 6.5 pounds and is suitable for wearers between 5’0″ and 6’6″. Overall, it’s surprisingly comfortable.
The demo at Modex was relatively straightforward. First, I lifted a big 30-pound Pelican-style case. Then, with the assistance of the exosuit, I lifted it again. As someone suffering from degenerative disc disease, I felt as though I deserved some sort of journalistic award for my efforts during this morning’s demonstration.
The thigh straps are connected to soft fabric cables that retract into the backpack upon exerting some force. This added assistance significantly reduces strain on the arms. Similarly, when bending over with a load, the system offers resistance, helping to slow the descent and making it easier on the wearer’s body.
Verve Motion not only sells the SafeLift Exosuit as a standalone product but also offers a complete system including a wall of lockers or cubby holes for storage and charging of the exosuits. Alternatively, the batteries can be charged separately and swapped out as needed throughout the day.
When TechCrunch spoke with the Cambridge, Massachusetts startup last year after a successful $20 million raise, co-founder and CEO Ignacio Galiana revealed that over 1,000 SafeLift Exosuits had already been sold.
“The SafeLift Exosuit offers a solution for those facing repetitive lifting and movement tasks that cause physical strain,” says Galiana.
“This technology has already helped thousands improve their work experience and reduce the potential for workplace injuries.”
With the growing popularity and acceptance of exosuits, it’s clear that this technology is here to stay. So if you find yourself wandering the Modex floor in the future, keep an eye out for these innovative and beneficial wearable robotics. Your body will thank you.
