We would like students to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of new users toward different exoskeletons.

General objective of the research project broken down into sub-objectives, activities, themes, or sub-projects, as applicable. The general objective of this research project uses knowledge obtained from industry participants to create both simulated tasks and surveys to help determine the attitudes, impressions and perceptions of industry and novice users. Specifically, the focus will be towards the evaluation of different exoskeletons based on various characteristics including anthropometry, fit, task, environment and strength capability, awareness, etc.

The evaluation characteristics in the survey will be determined by interviews of industrial users and the literature review. The experience and data from previous exoskeleton implementations (previous research and industry interviews) will be used to inform the development of the simulated tasks and surveys. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the environmental and personal variables. The significant influences from the analysis of the survey analysis, will be used to guide industries in the selection and acceptance of exoskeleton use.

This project is part of a larger research project. We envision this project to include, but not be limited to:

• Help with the Interview of industry users: Industry partners of Sandalwood who have knowledge of exoskeleton implementation will be asked to participate via interviews regarding their success and lessons learned.
• Development of Survey: questions with the input of the research lead. Survey will be based on literature review , and industry users.
• Input into the development of Simulated tasks: A broad variety of simulated tasks will be developed that utilize the focus muscle group of the exoskeleton and every day tasks that a user would perform while wearing the vest such as using phone, bending to pick up something , walking, along with industry tasks.
• Due to the current pandemic, the ability to suit up and run subjects through a set of simulated tasks is challenging. Our plan is use the Advanced Ergonomic Students at Fanshawe College when they are on campus for their labs. A separate area that allows an individual to run through the tasks will be set up in accordance with Fanshawe Covid guidelines.
• Analysis of surveys : or subset of survey as determined for the class research. The survey results will be aggregated.