CJ Logistics is co-developing a wearable robotic suit designed to support muscle strength alongside wearable robotics start-up Angel Robotics. Following the production of the first prototype and after processing the results of multiple on-site tests, two further versions have also been developed. CJ Logistics and Angel Robotics hope to put them to use in the near future to support CJ Logistics workers and boost productivity.
Wearable suits are a form of robotic technology that workers can wear comfortably on their bodies and receive muscular support from. Suits like this are currently being developed in a variety of sectors, tailored to the needs of different workers and types of work. Since September last year, CJ Logistics, along with Angel Robotics, has been developing customized wearable suits to help reduce fatigue, prevent injuries, and improve the work efficiency of workers on logistics sites, as well as rigorously testing the efficacy of the suits.
These CJ Logistics and Angel Robotics wearables give physical support to the movements of workers by increasing what can be achieved through minimum strength. The results of on-site tests have shown that the main muscle usage of workers – in areas of the body like the back and thighs – decreased more than 23%, and the oxygen consumption rate decreased more than 15% in comparison to non-assisted work. This also had a noticeable impact on fighting fatigue.
Possibly the most significant feature of CJ Logistics’ wearable suits is that they do not require a separate power supply. A specially designed spring – installed in the body of the exoskeleton – makes charging during working hours unnecessary.
“Our plan is to reduce the intensity of workers’ physical movements in areas where automation is proving difficult to implement. We want to expand the application of innovative technologies and increase workplace safety at the same time,”said Kim Kyung-hoon, CJ Logistics’ Technology, Engineering, Systems & Solutions (TES) Innovation Center director.
