Phoenix Robotics Group and GoX Labs are looking to partner with local employers to test new exoskeleton technologies to provide engineering solutions for employee wellness in the workplace.
Through a public-private collaboration with innovators at WearTech Applied Research Center and researchers at Arizona State University, Augspurger Komm Engineering, Phoenix Robotics Group and GoX Labs have developed a new exoskeleton for the workforce, with the goal of making workplaces safer for millions of people, according to a press release.
The wearable exoskeleton technology, called PhenEx, actively helps workers squat and lift heavy loads, promotes overall worker health and reduces the potential for workplace injuries, according to the press release.
"Through this partnership with industry leaders and innovators, we are able to bring cutting-edge technology that prioritizes safety to industries that need it most," Kevin Hollander, senior engineering consultant for Augspurger Komm Engineering, said in a prepared statement. "The exoskeleton and its technology protect the worker and allow companies to literally step into the future of workplace safety."
Based on 15 years of advancing critical technologies through the APEx project at Arizona State University, the PhenEx wearable exoskeleton uses sensors to activate lifting springs that improve a worker's strength and balance during physical activities such as squatting and lifting.
The quasi-active exoskeleton unlocks its mechanism when the worker is resting, walking or driving so as not to impede natural movement. GoX Labs and AKE are testing the PhenEX exoskeleton with local employers such as Dirck's Moving &; Logistics and other industry partners through the WearTech Center.
"The WearTech Center supports innovators by connecting entrepreneurs with research teams and industry leaders who accelerate the commercialization process and lead projects through ideation, project formation and validation," said Wes Gullett, operations director of Applied Research Centers. "We are proud to build a team that prioritizes the health and well-being of Arizona residents through technological advancements while accelerating innovative and life-changing technologies."
PhenEx exoskeletons make science fiction practical in Arizona workplaces
At the WearTech Center, product development of exoskeleton technology follows the applied research model, which accelerates the process through collaboration with public and private sector partners.
The center guides these innovative products through the phases of idea generation, project formation, validation and commercialization, WearTech Center representatives say.
"Every day, 89 million workers across the country are exposed to injuries on the job. As Arizona continues to grow as a hub for many different industries, the need for technology to address these risks is increasing," said Dr. Joseph Hitt, CEO of GoX Labs. "Now that we've confirmed that our exoskeleton is a viable solution through our partnership with WearTech Center, we look forward to working with local businesses to test this technology and see how it can play out in real-world scenarios."
Previously, the project team successfully developed a similar exoskeleton called the Aerial Porters Exoskeleton (APEx), which is used by the U.S. Air Force. The use of the APEx exoskeleton actively promotes employee wellness by making pushing and lifting easier and safer than ever before.