The MATE Fit for Workers was said to reduce shoulder muscle activity by up to 50%, allowing users to do the same manual tasks with less fatigue.
According to Comau, MATE is able to fully replicate any movement of the shoulder while adhering to the body like a “second skin”.
The exoskeleton uses a passive spring-based mechanism, meaning that there is no risk of battery or motor failure.
Comau vice-president of robotics and automation products global sales and marketing Tobias Daniel said: “MATE has been designed in close collaboration with factory workers, thus responding directly to their specific needs.”
MATE is the first of a series of wearable robotics that Comau has developed and commercialised in partnership with technology firm IUVO and orthopaedic equipment developer Össur.