Can Wearable Exoskeletons Improve Utility Crew Safety?

I just read an interesting article focused on the benefits of wearable exoskeletons to reduce worker safety.  Although the article was not utility-specific, my brain immediately started thinking about whether or not this type of technology would be useful in the utility industry.  And in my mind, the answer is a definite…maybe. 

How Wearable Exoskeletons are Utilized in Other Industries

Generally speaking, wearable exoskeletons help workers perform repetitive tasks by mechanically assisting or guiding their motion.  Yes, it sounds like something out of a sci fi movie, but the technology is already being utilized in companies such as Toyota North America. 

In Toyota’s Ontario plant, one group of workers is required to wave an ultrasonic wand over vehicle frames every minute or so.  That is certainly a lot of wand-waving each and every day, and the repetitiveness of it could cause injury, muscle fatigue, and subsequently reduced productivity.  But thanks to wearable robotic technology, these repetitive motions can be performed automatically, reducing muscle tension to almost nil.

In addition to manufacturing, the technology is currently being used in construction, aerospace, logistics and even the military.  The wearable exoskeletons can be either passive, which are not motorized and simply distribute weight in a more ergometric fashion, or active, which are motorized and essentially take over the motion on behalf of the wearer.  The latter will be particularly important given that the utility workforce is aging. 

According to Panasonic, which plans to showcase its line of exoskeleton suits at the 2020 Summer Olympics, the technology can improve worker performance by 20%.

I can see various uses in the utility industry, including help with pole climbing, trench digging, repairing transmission lines, and even tree trimming.  From an emergency preparedness perspective, the technology could help increase the efficiency of recovery efforts, and could help improve safety metrics by reducing muscle fatigue while crews are working long hours during restoration times.

Wearable exoskeletons are expensive, but I would expect the costs to gradually come down over time.  So, while not yet ready for prime time in our industry, I can definitely envision the technology being used extensively in the future.