Repetitive motion injuries are among today’s most common work-related ailments. What’s more, these injuries can be worsened by the repetitive actions used in our day-to-day lives. It is important for manufacturers to provide the appropriate setup and equipment to optimize worker health and prevent injury.

Based in Los Angeles, Calif., Equipois is a four-year-old company whose goal is to make humans safer and more productive through the use of its exoskeleton technology, the X-Ar™. Eric Golden, president and CEO of Equipois, explains the technology and its benefits.

What is the X-Ar?
The X-Ar exoskeletal arm support attaches to the human arm and can allow plant personnel, laboratory technicians, and others to work more safely and precisely. We expect future versions of the technology to be able to help disabled persons control their arms and legs, and improve the performance and safety of America’s armed forces.

How is it used?
Designed to assist with a range of activities in industries where people work with their arms outstretched for long periods of time, the X-Ar simply attaches to a human’s arm and becomes, in essence, a mechanical arm, providing dynamic support throughout the user’s range of motion while significantly minimizing fatigue and discomfort.

The X-Ar is the first technology that utilizes an exoskeleton to increase the human arm’s stamina and strength. We believe that the human hand guided by the human brain is the most powerful and versatile tool ever created. The X-Ar enhances that tool, rather than trying to mimic or replace it, and should significantly impact the workplace across diverse industries.

How was X-Ar developed?
The X-Ar is a descendent of our zeroG® mechanical arm technology, which holds tools and parts so operators can manipulate them as if weightless, but with practically unlimited freedom of motion. Originally developed with Garrett Brown, inventor of the Steadicam® camera stabilization system, the zeroG floats objects as if in zero gravity, with complete freedom of motion. The result is that workers can operate heavy tools or move objects with much less fatigue, allowing them to accomplish more with much less risk of injury.

What companies use the products?
zeroG has been adopted by some of the world’s leading manufacturers in aerospace, automotive and other industries, including companies such as Boeing and Ford.

For more information, visit www.equipoisinc.com.