Ford partnered with Ekso Bionics to create the “EksoVest,” an exoskeleton designed to elevate and support a worker’s arms while they perform overhead tasks. It can be worn by those that are between 5 feet 2 inches tall (1.58 m) to 6 feet 4 inches tall (1.95 m), and offers lift assistance from five pounds (2.2 kg) to 15 pounds (6.8 kg) per arm. “Building vehicles is physically a tough job. “We care about our employees and are trying to help them do their jobs with the least amount of wear and tear on their bodies possible,” said Ford executive Bruce Hettle. Continue reading for another hands-on video, more pictures and information.
“The tech has already gone through a successful trial in two U.S. plants. Now, Ford employees in 15 plants and seven countries worldwide can use an EksoVest, a product co-developed by Ekso Bionics. Today, all of Ford’s North American assembly plants have EksoVests, which are also being used in plants found in the Asia Pacific region, Europe and South America,” reports Car Scoops.
