There are few industries in which employees are exposed to such high levels of physical strain as in the field of logistics. Lifting and carrying bulky or heavy loads is part of the daily business here. This almost inevitably leads to downtime and high costs due to musculoskeletal disorders such as back problems. In the logistics sector in Germany, each employee suffers around 25 days of sick leave due to illness-related incapacity to work. Suitx by Ottobock sees the key to addressing these challenges in its exoskeletons: they provide measurable relief for the body during heavy work, increase motivation and reduce costs by increasing the number of productive days.

Solution for changing working conditions

“With the new IX Back Air, we are achieving a breakthrough for the widespread use of exoskeletons in logistics,” says David Duwe, Vice President Suitx by Ottobock Europe. ”Some companies in the industry are already using exoskeletons, but most are still in the test phase. Daily use under changing working conditions is still a challenge for companies, but now we have developed a solution for this together with those involved.”

Relief for the back, even in a confined environment

The successful BackX exoskeleton provided the basis for this product. Suitx by Ottobock worked with logistics partners to further develop it. According to the manufacturer, the new model is more effective, more comfortable and lighter. It is designed to reduce the load on the lower back by up to 56 percent; at the same time, the spine is not additionally compressed, as studies have shown. The IX Back Air is aimed specifically at people with dynamic work processes who, for example, have to manually move loads and operate industrial trucks. An integrated mode automatically recognizes when support is needed and when freedom of movement is required. Thanks to its compact, ergonomic design, the IX Back Air is also perfect for working in confined spaces, for example in a container. There is even space for it under a protective vest.

Lightweight and comfortable – yet powerful

Weighing less than three kilograms, the new back exoskeleton is also surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to wear. The exoskeleton's innovative technology redirects the body's own forces and stores them temporarily before releasing them when needed. This means that the IX Back Air can be worn and used all day long without the use of batteries by utilizing the body's own energy. According to Ottobock, the intuitive fasteners make it possible to put it on and take it off in just 20 seconds. The exoskeletons are not tied to specific employees because they are adjustable to different body sizes (“one size fits all”). The IX Back Air can also be equipped with removable pads and reflectors for added safety and visibility.

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