Robotics & Automation News

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exoskeleton

German Bionic unveils ‘world’s most powerful exoskeleton’

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German Bionic, the Berlin-based developer of robotic exoskeleton technology, has introduced the Apogee Ultra – the world’s most powerful series-production exoskeleton.

Available today and designed to empower workers across logistics, manufacturing, construction, bagging handling, and healthcare industries, Apogee Ultra sets new benchmarks in strength, adaptability, and worker safety, meeting the demands of various high-intensity tasks and enhancing productivity.

Seen in action here and demonstrated throughout CES at the German Pavilion (Hall A, Booth 50339), Apogee Ultra is the company’s strongest and most intelligent exoskeleton to date. [Read more…] about German Bionic unveils ‘world’s most powerful exoskeleton’

German Bionic to launch ‘human augmentation’ and exoskeleton platform at VivaTech

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This year at VivaTech, which starts tomorrow, German Bionic will unveil its comprehensive 360° Human Augmentation Platform.

The user-centered ecosystem integrates the latest versions of the Apogee series e-exoskeletons together with German Bionic OS – the first and only proprietary operating system for exoskeletons, the German Bionic IO data platform, and will be joined by two new human-machine interfaces having their public debut at VivaTech.

This integration of individual components into a single, powerful platform exemplifies German Bionic’s commitment to delivering highly accessible human-centric technology solutions that are simple to use, empowering, and designed to improve health and productivity.

[Read more…] about German Bionic to launch ‘human augmentation’ and exoskeleton platform at VivaTech

Italian port Livorno provides Comau exoskeletons to cargo handlers

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The logistics and cargo handling activities carried out in the port environment are largely managed manually by workers in order to ensure the required operational standards.

With the aim of making their employees’ tasks easier, more efficient and ergonomic, the Autorità di Sistema Portuale del Mar Tirreno Settentrionale (Port System Authority of the Northern Tyrrhenian Sea, AdSP MTS) and the Compagnia Portuale di Livorno (Livorno Port Company, CPL), together with IUVO, a spin-off company of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Pisa), and Comau have conducted a pilot study – among the first carried out in Europe and in the world – for the adoption of wearable MATE-XT and MATE-XB exoskeletons designed by the 2 companies.

MATE-XT helps to reduce the muscle load of the upper limbs during static or repetitive activities, which require workers to keep their arms raised for extended periods of time, while MATE-XB relieves the muscle effort of the lumbar area when handling loads. [Read more…] about Italian port Livorno provides Comau exoskeletons to cargo handlers

Exoskeleton company German Bionic receives further funding to scale up

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German Bionic, the leading provider of electrically powered back exoskeletons for industry, logistics, and healthcare, continues to experience strong growth in demand for its smart power suits.

Both the Apogee and the Apogee+, which was specially developed for the care sector, are the world’s first AI-based, fully-connected robotic wearables for the workplace.

The self-learning e-exoskeletons amplify lifting movements, give walking assistance, and prevent poor posture. An integrated ergonomic early warning system also supplies real-time data collected during the course of the working day to simultaneously protect employees’ health, measurably reduce the risk of accidents, and improve work processes. [Read more…] about Exoskeleton company German Bionic receives further funding to scale up

German Bionic debuts wearable ‘Power Suit’ for healthcare workers in North America

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German Bionic, an exoskeleton developer, has launched its “Apogee+” powered exoskeleton to the North American healthcare market.

Merging cutting-edge robotics with research-backed, data-driven insights, the wearable technology aims to “redefine the landscape of support for caregivers – cultivating a realm of enhanced well-being and sustainable working conditions for nursing and care professionals”, according to German Bionic. [Read more…] about German Bionic debuts wearable ‘Power Suit’ for healthcare workers in North America

Comau equips John Deere with wearable exoskeletons

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Comau has equipped John Deere, the world’s largest farm machinery maker, with multiple Mate-XT wearable exoskeletons to help sustain worker well-being, alleviate physical stress and reduce the ergonomic risk within its parts logistics operations.

Mate-XT accurately replicates all movements of the shoulder, helping employees perform their jobs comfortably by reducing muscle fatigue without limiting mobility or adding bulk.

Its ergonomic design can be easily adjusted to fit different people with different body types – changing the length of the shoulder straps and the required level of assistance based on the worker or the job at hand is quickly achieved in a few simple steps. [Read more…] about Comau equips John Deere with wearable exoskeletons

Ottobock acquires exoskeleton specialist suitX

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Ottobock, a developer of prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons, has acquired 100 percent of the shares in suitX, a US-based company spun out of the Robotics and Human Engineering Lab at the University of California, Berkeley.

suitX specializes in the research and development of occupational and medical exoskeletons.

Ottobock and suitX are combining their expertise and products to take the exoskeleton market to a new level and to foster the worldwide adoption of exoskeletons. [Read more…] about Ottobock acquires exoskeleton specialist suitX

How are industries using robots?

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For the last few decades we’ve seen an increase in robots and AI in both our home and work environment, and post-pandemic this figure is set to increase as companies look for ways of reducing person-to-person contact.

Pre-pandemic the International Federation of Robotics estimated that 1.3 million industrial robots were being used in a wide variety of industries, with a record global average of 113 robotic units per 10,000 employees.

It was found that Western Europe (225 units) and the Nordic European countries (204 units) have the most automated production followed by North America (153 units).
But what are the industries that are reliant on robotics? [Read more…] about How are industries using robots?

Comau’s exoskeleton producing ‘significant, measurable benefits’ at Pintarelli

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Comau’s wearable exoskeleton with its news model, the MATE-XT, aims to satisfy the special needs of those working in harsh conditions in industry, other sectors and even outdoors.

Comau’s MATE exoskeleton is the first and still the only exoskeleton in the world to be EAWS (Ergonomic Assessment Work-Sheet) certified. This confirms its effectiveness in reducing the risk of biomechanical upper limb strain in workers whose daily activities involve repetitive flexion and extension of the arms.

MATE has become an indispensable aid for some of the operators at Pintarelli, who perform repetitive manual movements involving continuous use of the upper limbs and shoulders. Pintarelli Verniciature is based in Lavis in the province of Trento and employs around 30 people. [Read more…] about Comau’s exoskeleton producing ‘significant, measurable benefits’ at Pintarelli

Ekso Bionics provides exoskeletons to hospitals in Florida

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Ekso Bionics, a developer of exoskeleton technology for medical and industrial use, has expanded partnership with Kindred Healthcare, bringing EksoNR, the most clinically used robotic exoskeleton, to four of Kindred’s Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals in the US.

The multi-unit order follows a successful pilot program of the EksoNR last year.

EksoNR has become a standard of care within Kindred’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals by driving patient outcomes in neurorehabilitation through early mobility and gait training.

In 2019, Kindred executed a proof of concept in the Houston LTAC market and, after a successful implementation, launched three additional Ekso programs in the Houston-metro area in 2020. [Read more…] about Ekso Bionics provides exoskeletons to hospitals in Florida