Exoskeletons have become an integral part of modern industry and the world of work. But what exactly does the term exoskeleton mean and why are these external support structures so valuable for various industries? In this article, you will find out what an exoskeleton is, how it works and what different types there are. Here you can see the BionicBack exoskeleton What does exoskeleton mean? The term exoskeleton originally comes from the animal kingdom. It is derived from the Greek words "exo" (for "outside") and "skeletos" (for "dry body"). An exoskeleton is therefore an external skeleton - a protective and support system that is located outside the body. Examples from nature include insects and crustaceans, which have an exoskeleton as an external protective and support structure. In contrast, humans and vertebrates have an endoskeleton, which is located inside the body. A technical exoskeleton works according to the same principle. It is an external support structure that is worn on the body to support movement and improve or enhance physical abilities. Areas of application for exoskeletons Exoskeletons are used in many different areas - from industry to medicine: Logistics Construction Wholesale Beverage logistics Car repair shop Gardening and landscaping Furniture transport Maintenance In short: wherever dynamic or static lifting is required, an exoskeleton can reduce physical strain and increase efficiency. Other areas of application for exoskeletons: In addition to industry and logistics, exoskeletons are also used in other areas: Medicine - support for rehabilitation and mobility Military - improving the physical performance of soldiers Space travel - support for work in weightlessness Personal mobility and assistance - support in everyday life for people with limited mobility Emergency and rescue operations - relief from heavy physical strain The BionicBack is aimed at people who work in professions with physically demanding tasks - for example in logistics, on construction sites or in workshops. It specifically reduces the strain on the back when lifting, carrying or bending for long periods and is easy to integrate into everyday working life. Active vs. passive exoskeletons Exoskeletons can basically be divided into two categories: active and passive exoskeletons. Active exoskeletons Passive exoskeletons Active exoskeletons use motors or hydraulic systems to actively amplify the wearer's movements. This type of exoskeleton is often used in industry or the military to lift heavy loads and reduce fatigue. Passive exoskeletons do not use motors or hydraulics. Instead, they use mechanical energy storage devices such as springs or elastomers to relieve the body and support movement sequences. Passive exoskeletons are lighter and easier to handle, which is why they are often used in everyday working life. Our BionicBack exoskeleton is a passive exoskeleton. This means that it does not have a motor and does not need to be recharged - so it does not restrict everyday working life or freedom of movement. The most important points at a glance To summarize: ✅ An exoskeleton is an external support structure worn on the body. ✅ It supports, improves or strengthens physical abilities and movements. ✅ Exoskeletons are used in various industries and applications. ✅ There are two types: active (with motors) and passive (mechanical) exoskeletons. Conclusion Exoskeletons are versatile and offer enormous benefits in industrial, medical and private environments. They provide targeted support for physical performance and reduce the strain of physically demanding tasks. Want to see what this looks like in practice? Then take a look at our YouTube video on exoskeletons: There you will not only find illustrative examples, but also many other videos with application tips, background information and experiences directly from everyday working life. Curious about the industries in which BionicBack is already being used? Find out more here:

Welcome to the world of exoskeletons! If you are hearing about this technology for the first time, you are not alone. Exoskeletons are wearable support systems that take the strain off the human body during physically demanding work - especially the back, shoulders and joints. In this article, you'll find out where this idea came from, how it developed and why exoskeletons like our BionicBack are so important right now. The origins of exoskeleton technology The idea of a wearable mechanism that supports or amplifies human movement originally came from science fiction. However, it became a reality as early as the 1960s: one of the first real projects was the so-called "Hardiman", developed by General Electric. Even though the system was never used in practice, it laid the foundation for the further development of wearable support systems. Fields of application today: much more than just dreams of the future Nowadays, exoskeletons have become indispensable in many areas: 📦 Logistics - e.g. when lifting heavy loads 🏗️ Construction and trade - for support during overhead work and long periods of bending forward ✈️ Airport handling - during loading and unloading 🏥 Medicine - for rehabilitation and mobility support 🎖️ Military - to increase performance and shift loads Where is the journey going? Market analyses predict exponential growth in the use of exoskeletons. The reasons for this are: Rapid technological progress Growing demand in ageing societies Increasing awareness of ergonomic workplace design What is the BionicBack: Our BionicBack is a so-called passive exoskeleton. This means that it works entirely without electricity or motors - purely mechanically. It was specially developed to support people during physically demanding activities, e.g. lifting, carrying or bending forward for long periods. The aim is to relieve back strain, prevent musculoskeletal disorders and make everyday working life healthier. Here you can see our BionicBack exoskeleton Why we develop exoskeletons like the BionicBack: We at hTRIUS are convinced that the physical protection of people who work with their hands every day deserves the same importance as a helmet or safety shoe. The BionicBack stands for a new understanding of occupational safety - preventive, supportive and easy to use in everyday life.