Why XOdian’s industrial exoskeletons are the future of workplace safety and productivity

Across the globe, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are both common and costly. In the US, for example, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that MSDs – characterised by injuries to joints, muscles, tendons and other soft tissues – are the single largest category of workplace injury. They are also responsible for almost 30 per cent of workers’ compensation costs every year.  

It’s a similar story in most industrial settings everywhere, presenting a global challenge for industry that researchers at National University of Singapore (NUS) are determined to solve. Since 2020, an NUS team of engineers and computer scientists in the Department of Biomedical Engineering has been building two robotic exoskeletons with different target points – the back and shoulders. These powered mechanical frames wrap round workers’ backs and shoulders to help alleviate the physical stresses of heavy and repetitive work.  

“Our shoulder and back devices can reduce muscle strain by 40 per cent in the lower back and shoulders when a worker lifts heavy objects, which can help to prevent injuries while also boosting performance,” explains team leader Professor Yu Haoyong. “Our technology is especially timely because with more societies facing the challenge of an ageing population, we need to start protecting our workers against injury when they are young.” 
 

 SGInnovate’s CEO Dr Lim Jui wearing XOdian’s back exoskeleton to lift a heavy box.  

Today, the team – which calls itself XOdian (Exoskeleton Guardian) – is seeking ways to make its solutions commercially available, at scale and at an affordable cost. But how does XOdian’s technology work, and what sets it apart from other such devices already available on the market? 

Current devices from XOdian utilise sensors and model-based controls to best respond to users.  

“Let’s say an engineer wearing our shoulder device is lying on a railway track and needs to lift a heavy drill into position as they repair the undercarriage of a train,” Professor Yu suggests. “As they raise their arm, sensors detect the movement and engage a system of motorised actuators to give the wearer more support. They’ll perform the movement feeling like they’re simply resting their arm on a comfortable base.” 
 

Research Fellow Ashwin Narayan demonstrates how the shoulder exoskeleton works.

The XOdian back device works in a similar way, as the professor explains. “Imagine a baggage handler wearing our structure needs to lift heavy cases onto a trolley. When they bend down, our device will apply torque at their hip via an actuator that creates a countermovement. That way, they can lift any weight up from the ground more easily and hold it in position.” 

The team is working to include a built-in artificial intelligence (AI) computer system that uses sensor data to help guide their use. 

Exoskeletons are not new, but many early devices were focused on military and medical applications. In developing its XOdian technology, the 12-strong NUS team has been working to address some of the design challenges often associated with deploying exoskeletons in industrial settings.  

Those challenges include design. Many existing models on the market are ‘passive’ exoskeletons, reliant on springs that the wearer must use energy to compress. By contrast, XOdian’s ‘active’ devices deploy motorised components powered by a small, lightweight battery unit that can run for up to eight hours on a single charge.