Table I Comparative analysis:... | Emerald Publishing

Table I

Comparative analysis: exoskeletons and robotics

Production phase	Extent of robotics	Appropriate contexts for use of exoskeletons
Extraction/Harvesting	Increasing robotics, which is well suited to large-scale extraction and harvesting but harder to implement in small scale operations	T4 heavy-duty exoskeletons for changing drill heads, etc., for automated extraction Lightweight exoskeletons for manual harvesting at smallholdings and for specialist high value crops
Materials conversion	Increasing robotics except for in artisanal agrifood production	T4 little need for exoskeletons in production processes, but full range of exoskeletons can be needed for various types of process plant maintenance work
Manufacturing components	Increasing robotics in parts manufacturing, but the uncertainty in ETO component production leads to continued use of general-purpose manual tools and equipment	T4 different types of exoskeletons needed for tooling changeovers, etc. Different types of exoskeletons needed for variety of task involved in ETO component production
Assembling goods	Increasing robotics, but limited to assisting human workers where there is assembly uncertainty	T3 exoskeletons needed for lightweight for highly repetitive tasks involving light components, and for T4 heavy-duty intermittent handling of heavy tools and components
Installing goods	Increasing robotics limited by uncertainty arising from wide variations in work settings and the difficulties of obtaining accurate sensory inputs in diverse work setting conditions	T4 different types of exoskeletons needed for the wide variety of tasks involved in installation operations. Bespoke wearable robots with additional limbs suitable for constrained working spaces

Production phase	Extent of robotics	Appropriate contexts for use of exoskeletons
Extraction/Harvesting	Increasing robotics, which is well suited to large-scale extraction and harvesting but harder to implement in small scale operations	T4 heavy-duty exoskeletons for changing drill heads, etc., for automated extractionLightweight exoskeletons for manual harvesting at smallholdings and for specialist high value crops
Materials conversion	Increasing robotics except for in artisanal agrifood production	T4 little need for exoskeletons in production processes, but full range of exoskeletons can be needed for various types of process plant maintenance work
Manufacturing components	Increasing robotics in parts manufacturing, but the uncertainty in ETO component production leads to continued use of general-purpose manual tools and equipment	T4 different types of exoskeletons needed for tooling changeovers, etc.Different types of exoskeletons needed for variety of task involved in ETO component production
Assembling goods	Increasing robotics, but limited to assisting human workers where there is assembly uncertainty	T3 exoskeletons needed for lightweight for highly repetitive tasks involving light components, and for T4 heavy-duty intermittent handling of heavy tools and components
Installing goods	Increasing robotics limited by uncertainty arising from wide variations in work settings and the difficulties of obtaining accurate sensory inputs in diverse work setting conditions	T4 different types of exoskeletons needed for the wide variety of tasks involved in installation operations. Bespoke wearable robots with additional limbs suitable for constrained working spaces