Shoulder exoskeletons for manufacturing workers: How to boost adoption

Shoulder exoskeletons can help reduce strain during overhead manufacturing work, but their benefits depend on whether workers are willing and able to use them. OSE Director Leia Stirling and fellow University of Michigan researchers examined the factors that influence worker adoption of these devices. Their work highlights the importance of comfort, fit, usability and worker input when integrating exoskeletons into manufacturing environments.

October 14, 2026