Innovation for logistics
People in logistics face enormous challenges – Work absences due to MSDs (Musculoskeletal disorders) and pressure to increase efficiency. The key factors are the employees who move thousands of pounds daily to enable smooth operations.
Relief with freedom of movement
We address the different requirements in logistics and retail – from dynamic workstations and stationary tasks to standing activities – with our portfolio of three exoskeletons for the logistics sector. Using exoskeletons as a personal assistance system provides measurable relief and increases the workforce’s motivation while reducing costs through productivity gains. A win-win situation for employees and companies.
60% relief
Our back exoskeletons relieve the user’s spine and lower back by up to 60% when handling loads
ROI after 1 year
Increased efficiency, reduced fatigue, and higher retention ensure that the return on investment in exoskeletons is reached after twelve months.
Up to 25% fewer missed days
Our experience with numerous customers shows that missed days in logistics can be reduced by around 25 percent with exoskeletons
Ottobock BackX – Dynamic
The latest BackX exoskeleton is the perfect fit for moving loads manually while keeping a high level of flexibility: it reduces the load on the lower back when lifting objects by an average of 60 percent. At the same time, it allows a high degree of freedom of movement, for example, operating a forklift, working in tight spaces (containers), or climbing stairs.
Ottobock Back – Stationary
Ottobock Back was developed in collaboration with logistics experts and employees in warehousing and parcel distribution centers. The exoskeleton works according to a biomechanical principle: the load is taken off the lower back and transfered to the thighs with the help of the exoskeleton’s support structure. The energy storage absorbs force when bending and releases it again when lifting.
Ottobock Back provides significant support up to 55lbs
Usability
The biomechanical design of our back exoskeletons guarantees full freedom of movement and quick donning and doffing for everyday life.
Comfort
Ergonomic design, intuitive adjustment options, and a one-size-fits-all approach guarantee a high level of comfort for exoskeleton users.
Performance
Proven to reduce stress on the lower back and increase efficiency in load handling.
Request your personal experience package now and start your accompanied test phase.
Data-based analysis of your workplaces with and without an exoskeleton
Nothing creates more trust in exoskeletons than the interplay of good user experiences and data-based analysis. Because of this, we have developed a sensor-based workplace analysis together with MotionMiners, in which tens of thousands of data points are analyzed with the help of an AI to determine the most accurate possible picture of the ergonomic and economic advantages of exoskeletons for your workplaces.
Studies on Ottobock back exoskeletons
The portfolio of Ottobock exoskeletons for the back supports employees in strenuous activities in logistics and retail. Our exoskeletons are the subject of several studies to reduce and scientifically prove the effectiveness of MSD using simulated workplaces.
Significantly Reduces Back Muscle Forces
This study by researchers at U.C. Berkeley and U.C. San Francisco showed an average 60% reduction in EMG muscle activities at four of the most injury-prone lower back muscle groups.
Electrodes were placed over four erector spinae muscle groups on each of eight test subjects who were tested both while wearing and not wearing the backX.
The chart shows the substantial decrease in four muscle groups’ activation while subjects were wearing the BackX.
TSE, in this figure, stands for Trunk Support Exoskeleton; an original technical name for BackX.
Study results
Evaluation of the back-supporting exoskeleton to reduce muscle fatigue
This study finds that average muscle activities of the thoracic and lumbar erector spinae muscles among equal populations of male and female subjects, wearing Ottobock BackX while maintaining forward bending postures, are reduced by 75% and 56% respectively. The results of this study and extended field evaluations indicate that wearing Ottobock BackX minimizes the risk of back injuries among workers who repeatedly go through stooping, squatting, and bending postures for various tasks, such as lifting objects.
Study results
You can find the most frequently asked questions about our exoskeleton here
The textiles of the Ottobock Back are removable, washable and reusable. The technique can be wiped with a damp cloth. It is possible to order a hygiene set for the replacement of the textiles.
The Ottobock Back is “Made in Germany” and was developed in Duderstadt.
In the care sector we are researching possible applications for Ottobock Back. We are not yet using it in this area. Nurses are exposed to an enormous strain on the spine, which can lead to serious diseases and injuries in the back. This is what we are researching and we will be happy to keep you up to date with the developments on our channels. The airport is a classic application for the Ottobock Back. Areas of application are baggage loading on the aircraft and processing in the airport.
Our products are developed according to biomechanical principles. Two important issues are the application and transfer of forces and the interfaces on the body. The principle of force redirection is crucial for all our exoskeletons. Please have a look at the Ottobock Shoulder studies on our website to get an impression of our work.
No, the user does not get superpowers. The principle of our products is to support the user and thereby relieve the user. The Ottobock Back works in the area of the lower spine and produces a measurable positive relief effect when lifting heavy loads. When bending, energy is stored in the system and returned to the user as soon as the person straightens up again. The lower spinal column area is noticeably relieved up to 25 kg.
The opposite is the case. On the one hand, we see in many sectors, including logistics or warehouses at industrial companies, that automation approaches are interesting and are being tried out, but also often reach their limits. We don’t know what will happen in ten years time, but the acute question of relieving employees through personal measures is already arising today. In this respect, these measures are a means of maintaining the employment of people who work in such logistics processes. We are observing that people who have fallen ill return to the labour market in good health, but may not be able to return to where they were originally employed. That is where we start with our exoskeletons and there is a very good potential for Ottobock Back.
The commercialization of our exoskeleteons is a goal we have firmly in mind. The world of exoskeletons is new and exciting, and our extensive experience in industry, crafts and logistics will help us optimize the product for private use. We will be happy to keep you up to date on this.
Ottobock is a world market leader in the field of technical orthopaedics. Our exoskeletons for rehabilitation are already on the market, e.g. the C-Brace from orthotics. After all, exoskeletons are based on the functional principle of orthoses, a field in which Ottobock can already demonstrate more than 100 years of experience. Our Paexo products are increasingly focusing on prevention at a wide variety of workplaces.
There are different packages for the Ottobock Back. There will be a leasing offer as well as the possibility to buy. Customers and interested parties can choose from test packages of different sizes. In the course of these test packages, we accompany the introduction at the workstations and the evaluation of the use of Paexo Back. We would be happy to make you an offer. Please contact us using our contact form or by e-mail at paexo@ottobock.com.
As of May 2020 you can use the Ottobock Back exoskeleton in your logistics processes. There are three different test packages, “Experience Basic”, “Experience Standard” and “Experience Analytics”. We support you from the introduction at the workplace to the organizational implementation and the evaluation of the results. If you would like an offer for one of the three test options, please contact us using our contact form.
Networking and the use of anonymised data are of great importance, because they can earlier identify risks arising from physically strenuous work. These are areas in which we are already doing research, and they will not only find their way into our products in ten years time. The functions also have an additional benefit for the user himself/herself, it can help the user to move more economically, to protect himself/herself against injuries or simply as a practical working aid.
The Ottobock Back is a passive exoskeleton, because the energy storage works without an external power source and therefore does not need to be charged.
After a period of familiarisation, putting on and taking off takes less than twenty seconds each.
All our products are designed to be used by both men and women. Especially the contact points of the products to the human body and in the biomechanical principle of action, they are designed in such a way that both men and women can wear our products and use them effectively.
After a period of familiarisation, putting on and taking off takes less than twenty seconds each.
The textiles of the Ottobock Back are removable, washable and reusable. The technique can be wiped with a damp cloth.
No, the user does not get superpowers. The principle of our products is to support the user and thereby relieve the user. The Ottobock BackX works in the area of the lower spine and produces a measurable positive relief effect when lifting heavy loads. When bending, energy is stored in the system and returned to the user as soon as the person straightens up again. The lower spinal column area is noticeably relieved up to 28 lbs.
Yes, with the Ottobock BackX you can sit without any problems, even in industrial trucks.
Ottobock BackX can be adapted to body heights from about 160 to 190 cm.
As long as you like. The Ottobock Back is a passive exoskeleton, because the energy storage works without an external power source and therefore does not need to be charged.
There are three different test packages, “Experience Basic”, “Experience Standard” and “Experience Analytics”. We accompany you from the introduction at the workplace to the organizational implementation and the evaluation of the results. If you would like a quote for one of the three test options, please write to us using our contact form.
