Feb 11, 2025
Many companies forget the obvious: employee health through exoskeletons
Horb am Neckar – 11 February 2025 – IPM ESSEN 2025 has once again proven why it is the world's most important horticultural trade fair! For four days, everything revolved around the latest trends in plants, technology, floristry and equipment. International exhibitors presented groundbreaking technologies, while sustainability and climate change were key topics driving the industry forward.
When it comes to sustainability, many entrepreneurs forget what it actually means. By definition, sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In short, it's about securing the future.
Company guidelines and glossy brochures often state: "Our employees are our most important resource." Is this just empty rhetoric? At the very least, the shortage of skilled workers cannot be denied. This makes it all the more important that this statement does not remain an empty phrase.
Gardening and landscaping is a field in which the work is often hard. Therefore, companies should take sustainability seriously not only when it comes to plants and materials, but also when it comes to their employees.
Workplace safety does not end with helmets and safety goggles
Would anyone start a chainsaw to trim branches or fell trees without wearing safety goggles? Any safety officer would now be screaming inside: "NO!" But while awareness of safety footwear, helmets and safety goggles has increased, protection of the human musculoskeletal system is still being neglected.
Enormous leverage forces are exerted on the lumbar vertebrae when bending or maintaining a static posture. A hunched back has been proven to cause postural damage. But why is there still a lack of awareness in this area? When you look at office workers, you hear the word "ergonomics" everywhere. Now it is time to raise awareness of ergonomics in occupational fields where the work is predominantly physical.
Successful trade fair appearance: hTRIUS presents the BionicBack exoskeleton
A particular highlight of IPM ESSEN 2025 was the presentation of the passive exoskeleton BionicBack by the company hTRIUS. The passive exoskeleton provides targeted support during physically demanding activities and was tested with great interest by visitors to the trade fair. One enthusiastic tester summed up his experience aptly: "I found the coolest product at IPM!"
There is a reason for this enthusiasm: the BionicBack exoskeleton bears the AGR seal of approval. Products only receive this seal if they are considered to be particularly back-friendly. The exoskeleton has been proven to reduce physical strain and fatigue. Studies confirm:
Up to 30% less strain on the back to prevent overexertion
Up to 86% less fatigue, which improves work performance in the long term
Up to 37% better posture, which prevents back problems in the long term
Up to 55% longer holding time, which reduces fatigue-related absences
In addition to preventive protection, the BionicBack exoskeleton can also alleviate acute symptoms, thereby actively contributing to employee health and long-term corporate stability.
Thanks to its flexible adjustability, the passive BionicBack exoskeleton can be individually adapted to different work requirements. Depending on the activity, it can be used in dynamic mode for repetitive lifting tasks or in static mode for long periods of work in strenuous positions.
Sustainability also means protecting the workforce
The presentation of the BionicBack exoskeleton at IPM ESSEN 2025 emphasises that sustainability encompasses not only ecological aspects, but also the health and performance of employees. Companies that invest in modern ergonomic solutions not only contribute to the protection of their workforce, but also secure their own competitiveness.
With this technology, hTRIUS is setting new standards for occupational ergonomics in gardening and landscaping – a decisive step towards a sustainably secure future for the industry.
Further information and user reports are available on the hTRIUS YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@hTRIUS