WHAT ARE EXOSKELETONS? SIMPLY EXPLAINED
What are exoskeletons?
Exoskeletons are wearable support systems that are worn on the body and provide targeted support or relief for movements. They act directly on muscles and joints to reduce physical strain or improve performance.
Depending on their design, exoskeletons can operate actively with motors or passively through mechanical elements such as springs or levers. They are used particularly in fields such as healthcare and industry to make physically demanding tasks more ergonomic.
What types of exoskeletons are there?
Exoskeletons are generally divided into active and passive types. Active exoskeletons use electric or hydraulic drives to actively support movement. They are frequently used in rehabilitation or in specialized industrial applications.
Passive exoskeletons, on the other hand, operate without an external power source. They use mechanical structures to redirect forces and relieve muscle strain. This design is particularly common in everyday work environments because it is lightweight, robust, and easy to integrate.
Where are exoskeletons used?
Exoskeletons are used in various sectors where physical strain is a factor. These include, in particular, healthcare, industry, logistics, and skilled trades. In healthcare, for example, exoskeletons assist with lifting and repositioning patients. In industry, they are used for tasks involving repetitive movements or work performed in a bent-over position.
These versatile applications mean that exoskeletons are increasingly becoming an important component of modern ergonomics and occupational safety concepts.
Who develops and sells exoskeletons?
Exoskeletons are developed by specialized manufacturers who focus on the technical implementation and further development of these systems. These companies develop both active and passive exoskeletons for various applications, such as industry, logistics, and healthcare.
Sales and practical application in everyday work are often handled by specialized partners who tailor the systems specifically to particular industries. This ensures that exoskeletons not only function technically but can also be used practically in the respective work environment.
The BionicBack exoskeleton is developed by the manufacturer hTRIUS and distributed by HTExo specifically for use in nursing and healthcare. This specialization results in solutions that are tailored to the real-world needs of caregivers and can be directly integrated into existing work processes.
Specialized providers like HTExo contribute to establishing and further developing exoskeletons in nursing practice.
Where do exoskeletons come from? What role does biology play in them?
The term “exoskeleton” originally comes from biology. In nature, exoskeletons have served as proven protective and supportive structures for millions of years. Unlike humans, who have an internal skeleton (endoskeleton), many animals — such as insects, spiders, and crustaceans — have an exoskeleton, that is, a hard outer shell.
A vivid example is the crab: Its shell serves not only as a protective shield against predators but also as a stabilizing framework to which its muscles attach. This allows it to generate astonishing strength while moving with flexibility.
This principle has inspired technology: Exoskeletons for humans are not rigid shells, but wearable support systems that relieve or reinforce the musculoskeletal system.
While nature primarily offers protection and stability, exoskeletons apply this concept to occupational safety, ergonomics, and rehabilitation. So it can be said: Nature had the idea long before we did—we use it today to support health and performance in our daily work and lives.