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Guidelines for Working Heights of the Lower-Limb Exoskeleton (CEX) Based on Ergonomic Evaluations

Author

Listed:
  • Yong-Ku Kong

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea)

  • Chae-Won Park

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea)

  • Min-Uk Cho

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea)

  • Seoung-Yeon Kim

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea)

  • Min-Jung Kim

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea)

  • Dong Jin Hyun

    (Robotics Lab in the R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Company, Uiwang 16082, Korea)

  • Kihyeon Bae

    (Robotics Lab in the R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Company, Uiwang 16082, Korea)

  • Jong Kyu Choi

    (Robotics Lab in the R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Company, Uiwang 16082, Korea)

  • Sang Min Ko

    (Robotics Lab in the R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Company, Uiwang 16082, Korea)

  • Kyeong-Hee Choi

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the muscle activities and subjective discomfort according to the heights of tasks and the lower-limb exoskeleton CEX (Chairless EXoskeleton), which is a chair-type passive exoskeleton. Twenty healthy subjects (thirteen males and seven females) participated in this experiment. The independent variables were wearing of the exoskeleton (w/ CEX, w/o CEX), working height (6 levels: 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 140 cm), and muscle type (8 levels: upper trapezius (UT), erector spinae (ES), middle deltoid (MD), triceps brachii (TB), biceps brachii (BB), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), and tibialis anterior (TA)). The dependent variables were EMG activity (% MVC) and subjective discomfort rating. When wearing the CEX, the UT, ES, RF, and TA showed lower muscle activities at low working heights (40–80 cm) than not wearing the CEX, whereas those muscles showed higher muscle activities at high working heights (100–140 cm). Use of the CEX had a positive effect on subjective discomfort rating at lower working heights. Generally, lower discomfort was reported at working heights below 100 cm when using the CEX. At working heights of 100–140 cm, the muscle activity when wearing the CEX tended to be greater than when not wearing it. Thus, considering the results of this study, the use of the lower-limb exoskeleton (CEX) at a working height of 40–100 cm might reduce the muscle activity and discomfort of whole body and decrease the risk of related disorders.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong-Ku Kong & Chae-Won Park & Min-Uk Cho & Seoung-Yeon Kim & Min-Jung Kim & Dong Jin Hyun & Kihyeon Bae & Jong Kyu Choi & Sang Min Ko & Kyeong-Hee Choi, 2021. "Guidelines for Working Heights of the Lower-Limb Exoskeleton (CEX) Based on Ergonomic Evaluations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:10:p:5199-:d:554173
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Davide Gattamelata & Mario Fargnoli, 2022. "Development of a New Procedure for Evaluating Working Postures: An Application in a Manufacturing Company," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Yong-Ku Kong & Kyeong-Hee Choi & Min-Uk Cho & Seoung-Yoen Kim & Min-Jung Kim & Jin-Woo Shim & Sang-Soo Park & Kyung-Ran Kim & Min-Tae Seo & Hye-Seon Chae & Hyun-Ho Shim, 2022. "Ergonomic Assessment of a Lower-Limb Exoskeleton through Electromyography and Anybody Modeling System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-15, July.

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