The bilateral back extensor exoskeleton

In an innovative advancement in workplace safety, a research team from Seoul National University has developed the Bilateral Back Extensor Exosuit (BBEX), a robotic back support device designed to prevent spinal injuries and assist workers with heavy lifting tasks.

The BBEX, presented in a study published in Scientific roboticspromises to address the shortcomings of existing back support devices by providing multidimensional assistance and comprehensive safety validation. The paper is titled “Bilateral Back Extension Exoskeleton for Multidimensional Assistance and Prevention of Spinal Injuries.”

Lower back injuries from heavy or repetitive lifting are a major concern in many industries, leading to significant physical and economic impacts. Traditional back support devices have attempted to mitigate these risks, but they are often not effective, especially in scenarios requiring asymmetrical lifting, which is common in many work environments.

The BBEX is distinguished by its faithful imitation of the biomechanics of the human spine and back extensor muscles, providing effective support in multiple directions.

The BBEX design is inspired by the anatomical structure of the human spine and erector spinae muscles. It features a multi-degree-of-freedom (DoF) architecture with serially connected linear actuators, allowing it to move naturally with the spine and provide targeted assistance.

This complex design ensures that the device can provide full support during symmetrical and asymmetrical lifting tasks, effectively reducing muscle fatigue and mechanical load on the spinal joints.

The research team conducted extensive experiments with eleven healthy male participants to validate the efficacy and safety of the BBEX. Participants performed lifting tasks while wearing the device, and the results were promising. The BBEX successfully provided multidimensional assistance, reduced muscle fatigue in the back extensor muscles, and decreased compressive forces on the spinal joints. These results suggest that the BBEX could significantly reduce the risk of lower back injuries in demanding work environments.

By seamlessly integrating features inspired by human biomechanics with a focus on safety, the BBEX offers a revolutionary solution to a persistent workplace challenge. The device not only improves workers’ ability to perform heavy lifting tasks, but also prioritizes their long-term health and safety.

As industries continue to look for ways to improve worker safety and productivity, the BBEX represents a significant advancement in the development of effective and reliable back support technologies.

Provided by Seoul National University Faculty of Engineering