Ford employees in 15 plants worldwide who perform repetitive overhead tasks now have assistance from a new upper body exoskeletal technology called EksoVest.
It’s the latest example of advanced technology the automaker is using to reduce the physical toll on employees during the vehicle assembly process, lessening the chance of worker fatigue, injury or discomfort.
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The company said some plant workers do the equivalent of lifting a bag of flour or a watermelon over their heads up to 4,600 times a day as they assemble vehicles.
Repetitive motions like those can lead to fatigue and injury for workers but Ford has found a new wearable technology called EksoVest helps reduce injury risk in some plant workers and is introducing it worldwide after a successful trial in two US plants.
It is now available in 15 plants in seven countries. Ford worled with Ekso Bionics to enhance this wearable technology that elevates and supports a worker’s arms while performing overhead tasks such as reaching up with a power tool to screw bolts to secure the car’s brace – all while standing underneath the vehicle.
“Building vehicles is physically a tough job,” said Bruce Hettle, the automaker’s head of manufacturing and labour affairs. “We care about our employees and are trying to help them do their jobs with the least amount of wear and tear on their bodies possible.”
The EksoVest fits workers ranging from five feet two inches tall to six feet four and provides lift assistance from five pounds to 15 pounds per arm. Workers say it’s comfortable because it’s lightweight and not bulky, allowing them to move their arms easily.
Ford trialled the EksoVest at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne and Flat Rock Assembly, both in Michigan, during the past year. The feedback from plant operators helped refine the technology before the company rolled it out globally.
“Our mission is to augment human capability with wearable technology and robotics that help people rethink current physical limitations and achieve the remarkable,” said Jack Peurach, president and chief executive officer of Ekso Bionics. “Advancing our collaboration with a global leader like Ford, represents a major step forward in achieving our mission as our EksoVest is deployed around the world to enhance the well-being of its work force.”
All of Ford’s North American assembly plants now have EksoVests and they are also being used in Asia Pacific, Europe and South America.
