Table II Critical analysis: potential... | Emerald Publishing

Table II

Critical analysis: potential positive effects and potential negative effects

Type of exoskeleton	Enhancement (potential positive effects)	Restriction (potential negative effects)
Power glove (Figure 1(a))	Reduces hand force needed by up to half	Generation of human hand force is generated by wider musculoskeletal systems, which can be strained by erratic loading to hand when glove is and is not worn
“Chairless chair” (Figure 1(b))	Support for intermittent sitting	Mismatches between the standard height of the chair and the varying height of work tasks leads to balance problems that introduce musculoskeletal tension
Lightweight modular (Figure 1(c))	Transfer work load to core musculature	Highly repetitive use causes friction at support points
Full body carbon fibre (Figure 1(d))	Reduce strain from lifting	Limits human three-dimensional rotational movements that are typically involved in lifting
Full body gravity-balancing (Figure 1(e))	Supports the weight of heavy tools	Gravity-balancing arm may provide only two-dimensional support, but work may require three-dimensional movement
Lightweight powered (Figure 1(f))	Provides mechatronic support for handling loads	Limits human rotational movements that are typically involved in work
Powered additional limbs (Figure 1(g))	Provides immediately available extra support at work locations with limited access	Introduces multiple new and unpredictable loads to the musculoskeletal systems
Heavy-duty powered (Figure 1(h))	Increases human strength for carrying heavy loads	Greatly reduces the range of human movement

Type of exoskeleton	Enhancement (potential positive effects)	Restriction (potential negative effects)
Power glove (Figure 1(a))	Reduces hand force needed by up to half	Generation of human hand force is generated by wider musculoskeletal systems, which can be strained by erratic loading to hand when glove is and is not worn
“Chairless chair” (Figure 1(b))	Support for intermittent sitting	Mismatches between the standard height of the chair and the varying height of work tasks leads to balance problems that introduce musculoskeletal tension
Lightweight modular (Figure 1(c))	Transfer work load to core musculature	Highly repetitive use causes friction at support points
Full body carbon fibre (Figure 1(d))	Reduce strain from lifting	Limits human three-dimensional rotational movements that are typically involved in lifting
Full body gravity-balancing (Figure 1(e))	Supports the weight of heavy tools	Gravity-balancing arm may provide only two-dimensional support, but work may require three-dimensional movement
Lightweight powered (Figure 1(f))	Provides mechatronic support for handling loads	Limits human rotational movements that are typically involved in work
Powered additional limbs (Figure 1(g))	Provides immediately available extra support at work locations with limited access	Introduces multiple new and unpredictable loads to the musculoskeletal systems
Heavy-duty powered (Figure 1(h))	Increases human strength for carrying heavy loads	Greatly reduces the range of human movement