Working with University partners German Bionic has created Exia, a groundbreaking exoskeleton powered end-to-end by true augmented artificial intelligence (AI). This innovative device decreases the physical stress caused by repetitive strenuous work. It’s helpful everywhere, but particularly in logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. Unveiled in May, Exia provides an almost ludicrous lift assistance of up to 38 kilograms. It never stops learning from its user, updating itself instantly to be more useful to them.
Exia’s award-winning technology is the latest improvement in workplace safety tech. The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) is currently evaluating how this technology can help reduce injuries within the meat processing industry. The AMPC project went through rigorous testing of 20 different devices, ultimately identifying six best-in-class models. Ranking among these is Exia and the Iron Hand, a high-tech glove engineered to boost grip strength.
Understanding Exia’s Capabilities
What sets the Exia exoskeleton apart is its novel, smart technology that predicts user needs in real-time and calculates optimal support. As Armin G. Schmidt, CEO of German Bionic explains, Exia is more than just basic answers and ideas. It learns dynamically and in a breathtaking fashion. This predictive artificial intelligence ability is based on billions of data points in motion collected from other industries.
Exia’s design integrates cutting edge AI to the production process to increase worker productivity and support industrial growth. Schmidt thinks the device is “literally a game changer device,” noting how it would improve safety and productivity in the workplace. By lessening the physical demands of labor-intensive, strenuous jobs, Exia hopes organizations can enhance worker comfort and enjoyment of the job as a whole.
“This is truly a revolutionary device.” – Armin G. Schmidt
The Broader Context of Workplace Injuries
The arrival of exoskeletons such as Exia is timely, with workplace injuries on the rise. In 2022-23, Australia saw 53,000 accepted claims for work-related injuries, up from 49,300 the year before. The AMPC is aware that as an industry, we need to do things in creative new ways to fight this trend.
Brad Beer, a representative for AMPC, highlights the challenges faced by workers in the meat processing sector: “Long hours standing on their feet, performing all those repetitive movements, reaching, twisting, and carrying heavy carcasses. It’s not for the faint-hearted.” He admits that on one hand, exoskeletons have great advantages but on the other hand, it may lead to adverse effects.
“They offer potentially great promise in allowing workers to be more efficient, potentially less injury-prone, and potentially have a greater lifespan at work, but there can be downsides potentially as well.” – Brad Beer
The Emergence of the Iron Hand
German Bionic joined forces with ExoTechnologies to develop the Iron Hand. This technologically advanced glove amplifies overall grip strength to protect workers across industries with rugged conditions. This remarkable glove of the future, which works with a powered backpack connected by cables, offers users the most control in fatiguing applications.
Many commercially available exoskeleton gloves retail for upwards of $15,000 a unit, creating hurdles for adoption on a large scale. The benefits of reduced strain and injuries are no small potatoes. Beer notes that these devices could augment workers’ capabilities rather than replace them: “They won’t take people’s jobs, but they’ll augment them and help them.”
“They won’t take people’s jobs, but they’ll augment them and help them.” – Brad Beer
The combination of advanced technology in devices like Exia and the Iron Hand underscores a growing trend towards integrating AI in various industries. Experts predict that these new technologies will soon penetrate every industry, fundamentally changing the nature of jobs.
“It might be a little bit like AI. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see it infiltrate into every industry.” – Brad Beer
