Lab tests finished

Robo-Mate has tested its three modules in ZHAW's labs in Winterthur, Switzerland. The lab tests serve a twofold purpose: First, results can be used to adjust either the prototype or the testing plan for the tests in real industrial scenarios. Second, in a controlled environment engineers can include a number of measurements that they could not include in an industrial scenario (for example with EMG, force plate, and video recording).

Three usability metrics have been evaluated: effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction:

• Effectiveness: Users have been able to perform the tasks they had to perform.
• Efficiency: From the user's point of view, efficiency means that they can perform the tasks with lower muscle activity and more neutral postures than without the exoskeleton. Efficiency from the employer's perspective means: Users have been able to complete their tasks in less (or at least equal) time.
• Satisfaction: Users find the exoskeleton easy to put on, adjust, take off; the exoskeleton moves at the speed and in the direction they expected; they perceive the tasks to be easier with than without the exoskeleton; they would be willing to use the exoskeleton in future; and they experience lower levels of discomfort with the exoskeleton than without the exoskeleton.

The collected data is currently being analysed. The results will be published in due course.