Lowe’s and Virginia Tech develop “exosuit” for retail and warehouse staff

Retailer Lowe’s and Virginia Tech have been working together to develop an “exosuit” which make it easier for staff in storerooms and warehouses to lift and carry products. The lightweight exosuit slips comfortable over the user’s body. When the user bends down and stands back up, the suit’s carbon fibre legs act like a bow and arrow, storing the user’s energy then returning it to them. This helps the user spring back up with greater ease.

Lowe’s Innovation Labs worked with Alan Asbeck and other robotics experts from Virginia Tech’s Department of Mechanical Engineering on the development and design of the suits.

Four exosuits are currently being put through their paces in a pilot project at Lowe’s store in Christiansburg, Virginia.

Commenting on the project, Asbeck said: “Over the past couple of years, human assistive devices have become an area of interest. Our technology is different in that it includes soft and flexible elements, and our approach is unique in that we are putting our prototypes in a real-world environment for an extended period of time.”

Click here to see more information and a video about the exosuit project.