A comparison between three commercially available exoskeletons in the automotive industry: an electromyographic pilot study

Repetitive tasks as those performed by automotive workers are the main factor that contributes to work-related joint injuries. In the automotive industry, overhead screwing tasks are extremely common, and they seem to be the main predisposing factor to shoulder injuries. In order to mitigate this scenario, several strategies have been proposed. One of those strategies is the use of passive exoskeletons. With the fourth industrial revolution, several companies created different exoskeletons models to offer a commercially available solution. Thus, our purpose was to conduct a pilot study to compare shoulder muscles activity between three commercial upper limbs exoskeletons and to assess the feasibility of a study with a large scope. We assessed two automotive workers on their workplace performing three everyday tasks with a light and a heavy pneumatic screwdriver tool, using no exoskeleton, and using ShoulderX by SuitX, Mate by Comau and Paexo by Ottobock. Surface electromyographic activity of the shoulder muscles (Deltoideus Anterior and Medialis) was assessed. The preliminary results suggest that the conditions in which the workers used the exoskeletons significantly reduced shoulder muscles activation. We also found what seems to be a significant effect of the tool's weight. Finally, small differences were detected between the three exoskeletons on reducing shoulder EMG activity. Nevertheless, a larger sample is needed in order to confirm its significance. These preliminary results are valuable before implementing the passive exoskeleton solution in a workstation to reduce shoulder joint stress.