A Kiwi company is deploying integrated and wearable robotic solutions and technology that could save Kiwi businesses from losing money to workplace injuries while simultaneously future-proofing workforces worldwide.
Exxovantage combines exoskeletons and exosuits, workplace wearables, AI, data analytics and cutting-edge risk management tools to increase operational efficiencies. This includes companies in logistics, manufacturing, retail, aviation, defence, construction, dairy farming, horticulture, mining and healthcare sectors.
In the current climate of stark skill shortages, lost time to injuries, and a focus on the mental health of the nation's workforce, supporting manual labour tasks with robotics and data analytics may reduce the cost of staff turnover and close the skills gap. Simultaneously, this could boost staff engagement and productivity.
Arnaud Daurat, Founder and Global CEO of Exxovantage, said that supportive structures worn on the body to relieve strain on the musculoskeletal system are the future way.
"Worldwide, the use of exoskeletons for rehabilitation purposes has grown. With an increase in the number of people with physical disabilities and our ageing workforce, it's common sense that ergonomic support is used to prevent repetitive stress injuries.
Daurat explained that the objective was zero harm, allowing workers to perform daily tasks with injury or musculoskeletal disorders.”
In New Zealand, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for almost a quarter of all sick days.
Daurat revealed that Exxovantage solutions and technologies are proven to reduce injury-causing bends by 75 percent, sprains and strains by 30 percent, downtime due to injury by 25 percent, and increased staff attraction and retention, with productivity improving by 16 percent.
"With biomechanical augmentation, we can enhance what people can do with their natural abilities. Exoskeletons support the upper limbs of the wearer, using their strength and saving energy when in motion."
Daurat is passionate about offering organisations workforce solutions based around predictive injury prevention, working with them early to undertake an audit of the internal processes, and giving workers access to wearable devices that inform them of health and safety issues before they happen.
"Our wearable devices are embedded with built-in sensors that keep track of body movements and provide real-time biometric data to help highlight risks to a person's health due to impacts such as repeated movements and posture at work.
Daurat described the devices could alert users to efficiencies and flag if an individual was too close to a hazard. The devices could also indicate dehydration, reminding users to increase water consumption while working.
While the deployment of wearables has started to take off in New Zealand, globally, Daurat cited that its manufacturer had already distributed 150,000 wearables to the world’s largest e-Commerce organisation, with an additional 400 warehouses to receive the technology.
Auckland business Wrapid Man, specialising in commercial and residential shrink wrapping, has consistently been wearing Exoskeleton HAPO back exoskeletons for the last three months.
Director Christo Botha stated that his team was thrilled to see the positive difference the exoskeletons have made in their job, citing increased endurance and a quicker recovery from the day's work after wearing the supportive structure.
Botha discovered the products at a scaffolding conference and was intrigued to find a potential solution for reducing the risk of injuries in his team.
"It's a manual job. It's hard on the knees and back. We're lifting heavy materials and crouching down. The guys tell me it helps reduce fatigue and gives them strength to stand up from kneeling.
The meat processing industry is plagued with high absenteeism and injuries due to the physical nature of the job.
Brittany McCauslin works for an Otago-based meat processing business. She led the procurement of different models of exoskeletons after seeing them presented at a Meat Industry Association research and innovation workshop.
"Trialling a few exoskeletons from the Exxovantage range made sense. We want to give our staff longevity in the industry and help injured people return to work," McCauslin said.
During an initial trial with the exoskeletons, McCauslin learned that one staff member, an older team member with a physically demanding role, was already wearing a back support brace. After one day of trials, he could retire his back brace and fully adopt an exoskeleton.
Dubbed the next generation of integrated solutions and technologies, exoskeletons and exosuits can increase their wearers' well-being, something Brittany was motivated to achieve for their business.
"One of our team found, after using an exoskeleton for one session of 135 minutes, that same night, they had the best sleep in years. Their usual tossing and turning from back pain was absent."
The business has expanded to Australia, the USA, Africa and Singapore, with bold plans to become the global leader in wearable robotics technology.
Daurat was excited about the business' innovation pipeline and what this means for humankind.
"We are solving human, technical, and business challenges to increase productivity and staff well-being. It's a privilege to partner with sectors and businesses to protect their most important asset - their people," concluded Daurat.
