THIS EXOSKELETON ENHANCES THE STRENGTH OF ITS WORKERS

Technology and innovative company, Comau, has designed the Muscular Aiding Tech Exoskeleton (MATE), which enhances the strength of its workers.

Exoskeletons have been theorised for decades as a solution for increasing the work output and ergonomics of human labourers. So that is what the MATE exoskeleton was designed for, which wraps the body like a second skin and replicates dynamic movements. It is designed in close collaboration with factory workers engaged in manual activities, the wearable device employs a passive spring-based mechanism, meaning that it is completely mechanical, requiring no electric power to function as an exoskeleton.

The exoskeleton is developed in collaboration with Össur, an Icelandic leading non-invasive orthopaedic company, and with IUVO, a spin-off company of the Italian biorobotics institute which specialises in wearable technologies. Comau's exoskeleton provides lightweight, breathable postural support for operators and manual workers.

MATE comes in two sizes and provides consistent movement assistance, reduces muscular and cardiac fatigue, and improves posture and precision of repetitive tasks, and quality. MATE was designed and developed at the Comau HUMANufacturing Innovation Center in Pontedera (Pisa), Italy.

In the videos below you can see how the MATE exoskeleton works.