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Recent Trends and Advances in Wearable Exoskeletons, Sensing Technologies and Occupational Ergonomics

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 1102

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
Interests: physical ergonomics; wearable exoskeleton system; biomechanics
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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
Interests: physical ergonomics; biomechanics; exoskeletons; wearable sensors

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Guest Editor
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Interests: HCI; user experience; biomechanics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to propose a Special Issue of Sensors titled "Recent Trends and Advances in Wearable Exoskeletons, Sensing Technologies and Occupational Ergonomics". Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) have emerged as an important issue on industrial sites and in physical ergonomics research due to growing interest in occupational health and the creation of safer working environments, as well as shifting perceptions of labor across various industries. Addressing these concerns requires an in-depth understanding of the interaction between physical and cognitive ergonomics, sensor-driven data analysis, and the fields of occupational safety and health. To enhance the safety and usability of industrial environments for a wide range of workers and product users, it is essential to conduct comprehensive research on these interdisciplinary interactions, leveraging sensing capabilities to capture critical human–machine and environmental data.​

In recent years, the development and usability evaluation of wearable exoskeletons integrated with sensors to monitor movement, force, and physiological signals—aimed at preventing musculoskeletal disorders among industrial workers and rehabilitation professionals—have gained significant global traction. This research topic, enhanced by sensing innovations, has emerged as one of the most important areas within the field of physical ergonomics. Accordingly, this Special Issue will focus primarily on research into wearable exoskeletons for the upper limbs, lower back, and lower limbs, alongside advancements in sensing technologies that enable their optimization. However, its scope is not limited to exoskeleton-related studies alone; we also welcome submissions from broader domains, including occupational ergonomics, safety, and health, particularly those incorporating sensing-based approaches, with the goal of fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and the sharing of diverse research outcomes.

Prof. Dr. Yong-Ku Kong
Dr. Jaehyun Park
Dr. Jeong-ho Kim
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • wearable exoskeleton
  • industrial wearable robot
  • work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs)
  • physical ergonomics
  • occupational ergonomics
  • human–machine interaction
  • aging study

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 4782 KB  
Article
Computer Simulation of Whole-Body Vibration in Port Container Handling Machine Operators
by Ricardo Luís Alves Silva, Kleber Gonçalves Alves, José Ângelo Peixoto da Costa, Alvaro Antonio Villa Ochoa, Roberto Nobuyoshi Junior Yamada, Paula Suemy Arruda Michima, Gustavo de Novaes Pires Leite and Álvaro Augusto Soares Lima
Sensors 2025, 25(20), 6346; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25206346 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 370
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of whole-body vibrations (WBV) on ergonomics related to static posture during the operation of container handling machines (Portainer). A 3D numerical model of a seated man was developed using modal and harmonic analysis based on the [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of whole-body vibrations (WBV) on ergonomics related to static posture during the operation of container handling machines (Portainer). A 3D numerical model of a seated man was developed using modal and harmonic analysis based on the finite element method (FEM), and implemented on the ANSYS platform to achieve this. Quantitative analyses of whole-body vibrations were carried out in actual workplaces at a port terminal in northeastern Brazil, considering the interaction between the human and the machine. A comparison was made between the real data collected at the operating sites and the values obtained from the developed model. Concerning vibration exposure, the results revealed a critical situation: in 86.2% of cases, the Acceleration of Resulting Normalized Exposure—A(8)—exceeded the alert level, and in 96.6% of cases, the Resulting Vibration Dose Value (VDV) also surpassed this threshold. Similarly, an alert level was exceeded in 97.0% of cases. According to the maximum limits established by Brazilian legislation, the acceleration from normalized exposure did not exceed the limit, while the resulting vibration dose value was surpassed in 20% of cases. The modal analysis results helped identify the critical directions of vibration response, thus supporting the assessment of human exposure effects and the structural performance of the system analyzed. The harmonic analysis showed good agreement between the model and the real acceleration data in the frequency range of 3 to 4 Hz. Full article
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15 pages, 2303 KB  
Article
Center of Pressure Analysis of Postural Stability During Repetitive Reaching with Passive Arm-Support Exoskeletons
by Byungkyu Choi and Jaehyun Park
Sensors 2025, 25(18), 5650; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25185650 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 493
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of passive arm-support exoskeletons (ASEs) on postural stability during repetitive arm-reaching tasks. In a 3 × 3 × 2 within-subject design, twenty-four healthy right-handed men completed left-, front-, and right-facing arm-reaching tasks at two working distances (65.5 and [...] Read more.
This study assessed the effects of passive arm-support exoskeletons (ASEs) on postural stability during repetitive arm-reaching tasks. In a 3 × 3 × 2 within-subject design, twenty-four healthy right-handed men completed left-, front-, and right-facing arm-reaching tasks at two working distances (65.5 and 68.9 cm) under three intervention conditions (Without, VEX, Airframe). Postural stability was assessed using center of pressure (CoP) data recorded from a force plate. Both ASEs clearly reduced the mean amplitude of CoP in the mediolateral (ML) direction (i.e., the absolute value of MEAN ML and ML APDF10), although neither yielded improvements in anteroposterior (AP) stability. Task direction significantly influenced all CoP measures: left-facing tasks produced the greatest leftward bias, whereas front-facing tasks yielded the smallest AP CoP amplitude. Increasing the working distance by <4 cm modestly heightened AP bias, as reflected in larger AP bias metrics (i.e., MEAN AP, ML APDF50, and ML APDF90). Overall, passive ASEs selectively enhanced lateral postural control, while their effect on AP stability was negligible or even slightly adverse. These findings indicate that the practical utility of passive ASEs depends on the directional demands of specific occupational tasks. Full article
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