Topic: A robotic ‘Ironhand’ could protect factory workers from injuries
Working in a factory or warehouse can mean doing the same task over and over, and that repetition can lead to chronic injury. Now, a battery-powered glove could help workers by taking some of the strain.
The “Ironhand” glove strengthens the wearer’s grip, meaning they don’t have to use as much force to perform repetitive manual tasks. Its developer, Bioservo, says it can increase the wearer’s hand strength by 20%.
The Swedish company describes the system as a “soft exoskeleton.” Exoskeletons are an external device that supports and protects the body, typically increasing strength and endurance. Most have a rigid structure, but the Ironhand is soft, like a regular glove.
“When you have the glove on, it provides strength and reduces the effort needed when lifting objects,” says Mikael Wester, Bioservo’s marketing director. “It’s all in order to reduce fatigue and prevent strain injuries in the long run.”
The system consists of a backpack, which houses the power pack, and artificial tendons that connect to the glove. There are sensors on each fingertip which switch on the motor when a user grabs an object. A remote control or app can be used to adjust the strength and sensitivity of the grip.
Wester says applications include assembly on the production line in the automotive industry, using tools in construction and lifting heavy objects in warehouses.
Each Ironhand system costs around €6,000 ($7,275). The device also collects data that allows the company to assess the wearer’s risk of developing strain injuries.
According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, work-related neck and upper limb disorders are the most common occupational disease in Europe, costing national economies up to 2% of their gross national product.
Topic Discussed: A robotic ‘Ironhand’ could protect factory workers from injuries
