Lower back pain is a common health problem prevalent in many manual labor occupations. As a result, back pain is considered to be the 6th most costly condition in the United States[4]. Worker absentee rates due to lower back problems is estimated to affect productivity and cost the economy an estimated $635 billion [2]. As well as direct healthcare costs estimated to be $12 billion yearly[4]. Conditions that contribute lower back pain are due to poor form during the lifting process or over exertion of the lower back muscles. As a solution, a passive exoskeleton aids in maintaining proper form as well as reducing the load experienced by the lower back.
Our team will focus on the problem of reducing the load on the lower backs of workers who can potentially overexert their back muscles to the point of injury, by building a passive exoskeleton that puts a supportive force on the chest of the user as they bend over. This exoskeleton may be used in various situations however, the target group for this specific model is those in manual labor professions.
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