Mexican Media Brands
BMW Workers Test Robo Suits at S. Carolina Plant
Workers at BMW AG’s Spartanburg, S.C., assembly plant have begun testing an “ekso vest” to help reduce muscle strain and fatigue.
Share
Workers at BMW AG’s Spartanburg, S.C., assembly plant have begun testing an “ekso vest” to help reduce muscle strain and fatigue.
The device, which spans from a user’s shoulders down to his or her feet, serves as a type of exoskeleton. The ergonomic design primarily supports the upper body, back and arms, especially when workers perform tasks that require heavy lifting and raising their arms high.
The initial pilot program involves about 30 workers, Spartanburg assembly planner Frank Pochiro tells Automotive News. He says the initial feedback has been very positive and that all of the participants want to continue to use the vests, which were developed by Richmond, Calif.-based Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc.
The devices can be used to aid users in a variety of plant floor jobs to improve productivity and safety while reducing fatigue, Pochiro says. He notes that they could be especially beneficial to older workers.
BMW currently is evaluating prototypes from two unnamed U.S. companies. Pochiro also sees the potential for a next-generation system that incorporates power controls to further enhance capabilities.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Things to Know About Cam Grinding
By James Gaffney, Product Engineer, Precision Grinding and Patrick D. Redington, Manager, Precision Grinding Business Unit, Norton Company (Worcester, MA)
-
Multiple Choices for Light, High-Performance Chassis
How carbon fiber is utilized is as different as the vehicles on which it is used. From full carbon tubs to partial panels to welded steel tube sandwich structures, the only limitation is imagination.
-
Increasing Use of Structural Adhesives in Automotive
Can you glue a car together? Frank Billotto of DuPont Transportation & Industrial discusses the major role structural adhesives can play in vehicle assembly.
