The SUPERHUMAN Project: Insights On An Ongoing Academic-Industry Alliance For Developing and Commercializing Passive Hip-Low Back Exoskeletons

Assistive robotics, especially passive exoskeletons, offer promising solutions for reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), particularly in the lower back—a key occupational health concern. The SUPERHUMAN project, uniting academic and industry partners, promotes the development and adoption of user-centered passive exoskeletons. This study presents early findings from the project, including feedback from partner companies and a pilot evaluation using NASA TLX to assess perceived workload. Results highlight the exoskeleton’s ergonomic benefits and point to areas for improvement, such as weight and harness design, informing ongoing design refinements. More details are available at https://superhuman-eitm.eu/.