Once a futuristic vision of what warehouse work could look like, the ergonomic exoskeleton has since begun to make its way into facilities nationwide. These suit-like structures are a mechanical extension of an operator, often wearable and used for assistance in a range of motion.

It is often used as an aid to walking, for example. It can be battery-powered or not; using a small motor or other lift assist technology, it can support muscles used for lifting, providing a push that may avoid pushing a worker’s body past its limits.

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