Creating a supportive exoskeleton to help workers with arm and back pain
Official title: Active Arm-Support Industrial Exoskeleton to Reduce Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSDs)
Funded at Innovative Design Labs, INC. · NIH-10919980 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a special arm-support device to help workers who do heavy lifting and often feel tired or sore, making their jobs easier and safer by adjusting to their movements.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Innovative Design Labs, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $302,409 |
| NIH project number | 1R43OH012650-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919980 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals working in manual labor jobs who frequently perform repetitive overhead lifting or similar tasks.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not engage in manual labor or those with pre-existing severe musculoskeletal conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop an active arm-support exoskeleton designed to assist workers in manual labor jobs, particularly those who experience work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). The exoskeleton will provide dynamic lifting assistance to reduce physical fatigue and discomfort associated with repetitive overhead tasks. By utilizing intelligent control systems, the device will adapt to the user's movements, enhancing comfort and safety during use. The project will involve pilot data collection, prototype development, and performance evaluation to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among manual laborers, improving their quality of life and work efficiency.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research on passive exoskeletons has shown promise, but this approach of an active, intelligent exoskeleton is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
Innovative Design Labs, INC.
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kablan, John — Innovative Design Labs, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kablan, John
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.