These Lowe’s employees are now wearing exoskeletons to work

May 21st, 2017

Awake Goy

The home improvement retailer is testing exoskeletons on four employees at a Christiansburg, Virginia, store to make it easier to lift objects and stock shelves. Some Lowe’s (LOW) employees spend 90% of their time moving and lifting everything from bags of cement to huge buckets of paint.

Wearing the exoskeleton is somewhat similar to putting on a rock climbing harness and a backpack. The suit also includes attached carbon-fiber shafts that run down a person’s back and thighs. The shafts flex and store energy as a person bends over to pick something up. When the employee stands, the rods straighten and the energy releases, making the task easier. The process is similar to how a bow releases energy when an arrow is launched.

Lowe’s developed the exoskeleton in partnership with Virginia Tech engineering professor Alan Asbeck. For years, engineers have tinkered with exoskeletons and exoskeletons as a way to augment human abilities with extra mechanical powers.

…

LOWE’S HAS HAD THE EXOSUIT-WEARING EMPLOYEES ALSO WEAR A HEADSET FOR A FEW HOURS OF THEIR SHIFTS. THE HEADSET SENSES BRAIN ACTIVITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY’RE ENJOYING THE EXPERIENCE. NEL SAID IT’S A FAR SUPERIOR WAY TO GET USER FEEDBACK VERSUS ASKING DIRECT QUESTIONS.

Fmr. FDA Head Gottlieb: Risks of Wearing Mask Outweigh Benefits for Kids Outside in Summer

DOJ Employees Seek Paid Leave to Cover Out-of-State Abortions

Taking a plane ride this Thanksgiving? Avoid these 11 things to make your trip much more healthy and...

German government to use Trojan spyware to monitor citizens

Hundreds of Google Employees Sign Manifesto Opposing Company’s Vaccine Mandate

ACH (1902) Mischa Popoff – These Guys Are Not Gonna Stop…