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Active back exosuits demonstrate positive usability perceptions that drive intention-to-use in the field among logistic warehouse workers.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Active back exosuits demonstrate positive usability perceptions that drive intention-to-use in the field among logistic warehouse workers.
Authors: Hess, Adam1,2, Jacobs, Jesse V.3, Sullivan, Sarah2, Roberts Williams, Dionna O.2, Awad, Lou N.4, Dalton, Diane4, Walsh, Conor J.1,2 walsh@seas.harvard.edu, Quirk, D. Adam1,2
Source: Applied Ergonomics. Jan2025, Vol. 122, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Work-related injuries, Back injuries, Musculoskeletal system abnormalities, Warehouse management, Human-machine relationship
Abstract: Back exosuits offer the potential to reduce occupational back injuries but require in-field acceptance and use to realize this potential. For this study, 146 employees trialed an active back exosuit in the field for 4 h, completing an acceptance usability survey. Comparing the 80% of employees willing to continue wearing this device (N = 117) to those who were not (N = 29) revealed that employees willing to wear this device for a longer-term study generally were more likely to perceive this back exosuit to be effective (helpful) and compatible (minimally disruptive) to their everyday work. Using an optimal tree approach, we demonstrate that intent-to-use could be predicted with 78% accuracy by interacting features of perceived exosuit effectiveness and work compatibility. This study reinforces the importance of task matching, noticeable relief, and unobtrusive design to facilitate short-term employee acceptance of industrial wearable robotic technology. • 80% of 146 employees had intent to use an active back exosuit after a field test. • 78% of employees found the device helpful, which promoted intent-to-use. • Up to 11% of employees noted device incompatibility, which lowered intent-to-use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:Back exosuits offer the potential to reduce occupational back injuries but require in-field acceptance and use to realize this potential. For this study, 146 employees trialed an active back exosuit in the field for 4 h, completing an acceptance usability survey. Comparing the 80% of employees willing to continue wearing this device (N = 117) to those who were not (N = 29) revealed that employees willing to wear this device for a longer-term study generally were more likely to perceive this back exosuit to be effective (helpful) and compatible (minimally disruptive) to their everyday work. Using an optimal tree approach, we demonstrate that intent-to-use could be predicted with 78% accuracy by interacting features of perceived exosuit effectiveness and work compatibility. This study reinforces the importance of task matching, noticeable relief, and unobtrusive design to facilitate short-term employee acceptance of industrial wearable robotic technology. • 80% of 146 employees had intent to use an active back exosuit after a field test. • 78% of employees found the device helpful, which promoted intent-to-use. • Up to 11% of employees noted device incompatibility, which lowered intent-to-use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:00036870
DOI:10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104400