Heuristic Evaluations of Back-Support, Shoulder-Support, Handgrip-Strength Support, and Sit-Stand-Support Exoskeletons Using Universal Design Principles

Alejandra Martinez; Laura Tovar; Carla Irigoyen Amparan; Karen Gonzalez; Prajina Edayath; Priyadarshini Pennathur; Arunkumar Pennathur

doi:10.1080/24725838.2025.2476438

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Heuristic Evaluations of Back-Support, Shoulder-Support, Handgrip-Strength Support, and Sit-Stand-Support Exoskeletons Using Universal Design Principles

Alejandra Martinez, Laura Tovar, Carla Irigoyen Amparan, Karen Gonzalez, Prajina Edayath, Priyadarshini Pennathur and Arunkumar Pennathur

IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors, Vol.13(1), pp.18-31

01/02/2025

DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2025.2476438

PMID: 40083264

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Abstract

Occupational ApplicationsOur study evaluated four occupational exoskeletons using universal design principles, and we found that the exoskeleton design needs improvement to achieve equitable use by diverse worker sets (including disabled, older, and women workers). Assembling exoskeletons for use, donning and doffing wearable devices, and disassembling them can all be difficult because of the strength, dexterity, reach, and balance requirements of users. Workers with disabilities are likely to require additional support from another person to assemble or use these devices. Exoskeleton design can be improved to provide feedback on user actions, error prevention, and recovery. Factors such as assembly and storage space demands, training needs, additional personnel to assist users, and personalization costs could pose substantial barriers in industrial adoption.

doffing

heuristics

disassembly

assembly

universal design principles

Industrial exoskeletons

donning

Details

Title: Subtitle: Heuristic Evaluations of Back-Support, Shoulder-Support, Handgrip-Strength Support, and Sit-Stand-Support Exoskeletons Using Universal Design Principles
Creators: Alejandra Martinez - The University of Texas at El Paso
Laura Tovar - The University of Texas at El Paso
Carla Irigoyen Amparan - The University of Texas at El Paso
Karen Gonzalez - The University of Texas at El Paso
Prajina Edayath - The University of Texas at El Paso
Priyadarshini Pennathur - The University of Texas at El Paso
Arunkumar Pennathur - The University of Texas at El Paso
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: IISE transactions on occupational ergonomics and human factors, Vol.13(1), pp.18-31
DOI: 10.1080/24725838.2025.2476438
PMID: 40083264
NLM abbreviation: IISE Trans Occup Ergon Hum Factors
ISSN: 2472-5846
eISSN: 2472-5846
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 03/14/2025
Date published: 01/02/2025
Academic Unit: Nursing
Record Identifier: 9984799676702771

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