New Publication in Applied Ergonomics!

We’re excited to share our recent publication in Applied Ergonomics! Check out more details here.

Title

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

Authors

Adam Hess, Jesse V Jacobs, Sarah Sullivan, Dionna O Roberts Williams, Lou N Awad, Diane Dalton, Conor J Walsh, D Adam Quirk

Highlights

• 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

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.