Evaluating the Impact of Powered Back-Support Exoskeletons and Virtual Reality Interventions on Gait Stability of Construction Workers at Heights
Publication: Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
ABSTRACT
Due to the labor-intensive nature of construction tasks, workers are exposed to an increased risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Recently, a wide range of wearable robots (i.e., exoskeletons) has emerged in construction to reduce the risk of WMSDs. Although there are promising prospects for wearable robots to minimize the physical demands on workers, there is limited knowledge about their fundamental impacts on workers. In particular, there is a lack of studies on the impact of wearable robots on workers’ gait stability in dangerous situations, such as heights, which puts workers at high risk. To fill this gap, this study evaluated the impact of powered back-support exoskeletons on workers’ gait stability at heights through kinematic analysis. The analysis revealed that working at height with a back-support exoskeleton does not diminish users’ gait stability. The findings can shed light on the widespread adoption of back-support exoskeletons in construction.
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Published In
Computing in Civil Engineering 2023
Pages: 392 - 399
History
Published online: Jan 25, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Automation and robotics
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction management
- Continuum mechanics
- Dynamics (solid mechanics)
- Employment
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Kinematics
- Kinetics
- Labor
- Models (by type)
- Personnel management
- Practice and Profession
- Public administration
- Public health and safety
- Safety
- Simulation models
- Solid mechanics
- Systems engineering
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