Exoskeletons are not only used in science fiction. Very concrete uses already exist, particularly in industry. This is the case of this model signed ErgoSanté.
The Shiva Exo is the first 100% French exo-skeleton! It is a creation of ErgoSanté, a social and solidarity economy company, in collaboration with the SNCF. It took the subsidiary ErgoSanté Technologie three years to develop this exoskeleton, the first copy of which was delivered this week to Airbus Helicopters.
An exoskeleton to protect the health of operators
The Shiva Exo will help operators who carry heavy loads or work in awkward positions (such as with their arms up in the air). The shoulders and back are spared, as the exoskeleton supports the weight and mechanical stress. The idea is to relieve the musculoskeletal tensions of everyday life.
The device belongs to the family of so-called "passive" exoskeletons: it works without a battery and is entirely mechanical. The Shiva Exo is largely designed in 3D printing, with a part in machining. The skeleton is 90% composite.
The user can deactivate the arms if necessary. Airbus Helicopters has ordered a first unit for a test phase. If the experiment is successful, then the European aircraft manufacturer's subsidiary will buy more. Okay, this product is less exciting than the exoskeletons that can be seen in SF movies or literature. But the health objective is laudable, and the size of the market is attractive: $2.8 billion by 2023.
By Olivier on April 13, 2019 on Journal du Geek
Link to Article: https: //www.journaldugeek.com/2019/04/13/shiva-exo-premier-exo-squelette-100-francais-sera-utilise-airbus-helicopters/