When Tony Stark gets into his legendary Iron Man suit, the engineer and arms manufacturer becomes a superhero who saves the universe with his superhuman strength on the big screen. Even if the exoskeletons available on the market today can hardly compete with the high-tech equipment of the Marvel films, they do have one thing in common: they make it easier for the person wearing them to exert their strength. Originally designed for military operations and the medical rehabilitation of paraplegics, exoskeletons are increasingly finding their way into industrial production halls. This is the case at the Rheinmetall site in Kassel, where the armaments and technology group develops and manufactures tactical wheeled vehicles.

The Ottobock exoskeleton weighs just under two kilos and relieves the strain on warehouse and production employees at Rheinmetall when they are working overhead. With the help of sophisticated spring and cable technology, the device noticeably reduces the strain of overhead activities. The exoskeleton is worn like a rucksack: put on the shoulder straps, fasten the straps on the hip belt and arms and you’re done. Thanks to the biomechanical back support, the shoulder muscles and joints are subjected to far less strain during work. The exoskeleton also supports Rheinmetall employees when lifting. The bottom line is: more ergonomics in the workplace, fewer physical complaints and therefore healthy and productive employees.