GM is reporting positive feedback from production workers after 18 months of experimenting with exoskeletons, says Ryan Porto, GM’s ergonomics technical specialist. The device transfers upper-body strain across the hips of the wearer when they reach overhead while holding parts or tools. Workers who wore the gear for four to 18 months as part of a study reported improvements in their quality of life outside of work, and in their posture and energy levels. One worker told Porto that, prior to using an exoskeleton, he often was too tired to do housework at the end of a workweek. He said he now has enough energy for chores at home.
