In the article “It's 2019 - Where’s My Super Suit”, Zelik (2019) writes about the significant and unique features of the exoskeleton made by his team as well as brief descriptions of current commercial versions of exoskeletons. The main function of an exoskeleton is to reduce the risk of muscular injuries. However, modern designs do not appeal to the public because they are cumbersome and costly. The writer endeavours to improve upon the modern designs with a few distinct features. To begin with, the new design has a “clothing-like” appearance that consist of a vest, short, elastic bands and a switch. The design also allows the user to move “freely and fully’ by turning off the suit using the outfitted switch. On top of that, the absence of batteries, motors and protruding parts provides a lightweight and seamless design. The writer asserts that laboratory tests have verified turning on the suit will reduce substantial loading on the lower back. Lastly, Zelik (2019) has a dream that one day exoskeletons will be as commonplace and irreplaceable as smartphones today. The writer’s direction of simple designs that conform to public clothing standards will be crucial for exoskeletons to be popular and commonplace.
Simplicity and conformity in designs are very important factors for the popularity of any technology. The current public impressions of exoskeletons are bulky, heavy, difficult to wear and cause discomfort. Simple designs that conform to usual clothing standards will change this impression. The exoskeleton suit “Spexor” created by an EU research project from Slovenia will emphasize the undesirable situation due to the current designs of exoskeletons. The “Spexor” is a 6.3 kilo suit that is designed to arrest any lower back pain and assist those with ongoing lower back issues (Wilks, 2019). Developers have commented that testing with the “Spexor” indicates that it is “too wide and bulky” and that the leading issue would be persuading workers without any health issues to use it. Updating the “Spexor” design to be simpler and conforming would encourage workers to use it regularly and this concept can be adapted to different exoskeletons as well.
The exoskeleton is not the first product to be unpopular due to its heavy and bulky design. Early version of the cell phone was unpopular as well due to its heavy and bulky design which was described to be “as large as modern day computers and just as heavy” (Ray, 2015). As the cell phone’s design was improved to be lightweight enough to carry, it became a “pop culture symbol” and rose to popularity. Currently, everyone has a smart phone which is the successor of the cell phone. With the great benefits an exoskeleton can offer, it can be just as popular and irreplaceable if it continues on its direction to shed its bulky and heavy design.
Even though improving the design of the exoskeleton to be simpler and conforming is a priority, there must still be a balance between design and actual performance. Laptops are irreplaceable in the world and the current trend of laptop designs are to make it sleeker, thinner and lighter. These decisions may come at the cost of actual performance as there have been allegations that Apple laptop’s stated performance can only be reached if there is a sufficient cooling environment like a refrigerator (Owen, 2018). Exoskeletons are liable to be affected by this complication as well since its performance is often based on its size and mechanisms.
In conclusion, the future of exoskeleton designs should be simple and conforming which will drive the product to be popular and commonplace. However, there must be a good balance between design and performance as the main benefits and functions of an exoskeleton should not be excessively diminished for the sake of popularity and sales.
References
Ray, A. (2015). The History and Evolution of Cell Phones. Retrieved and adapted from https://www.artinstitutes.edu/about/blog/the-history-and-evolution-of-cell-phones
Owen, W. (2018). Thinner and lighter laptops have screwed us all. Retrieved and adapted from https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/9kmkve/thinner-and-lighter-laptops-have-screwed-us-all
Wilks, J. (2019). New exoskeleton to beat low back pain. Retrieved and adapted from https://www.euronews.com/2019/09/30/new-exoskeleton-to-beat-low-back-pain
Zelik, K. (2019). It's 2019 - where’s my super suit. Retrieved and adapted from https://theconversation.com/its-2019-wheres-my-supersuit-115679
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