Periodic Reporting for period 2 - AGADE(Anti-Gravity Active Device for Exoskeletons) (An Anti-Gravity Active Device for Exoskeletons to Reduce the Impact of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Logistics, Retailing and Manufacturing Sectors.)
Période du rapport: 2023-09-01 au 2025-03-31
AGADE aims at erasing work-related muscular disorders (WRMDs) through AGADEXO, the first exoskeleton to combine lightness, comfort and low environmental impact with smart compensation for physical fatigue at work.
WRMDs are one of the main causes of absenteeism at work in the EU, 40% of European workers (90 mln people) suffer from low back and shoulders’ WRMDs. This has a severe impact on workers’ quality of life, but also represents a cost sustained by companies. The economic impact of WRMDs in terms of productivity loss is estimated at 2% of the European GDP, not to mention the indirect impact on national healthcare systems. One of the main risk factors related to WRMDs is manual material handling which represents a common physically demanding activity in many occupational contexts.
AGADE aims to solve the WRMDs problem by developing a new generation of exoskeletons, wearable robots designed to enable human augmentation, with the vision to put robotics at the service of the workers. The innovative exoskeletons realized by AGADE are based on a disruptive and patented motion technology taking the name of the company itself: AGADE (anti-gravity active device for exoskeletons). It relies on a hybrid (active+passive) proprietary actuation system designed to reduce by 10 times electric consumption (compared to common electric motors) and, proportionally, batteries and motors’ weight. The mission of the startup is to implement the patented technology of AGADE to two different exoskeleton modules, leading to the commercialization of two innovative products: AGADEXO Shoulder, and AGADEXO Low-back, to reduce muscular stress of districts of the shoulders and of the low-back respectively. Moreover, our innovation disrupts the market with a high-tech device that becomes an IoT node linking the user to the whole production/logistic chain, monitoring fatigue state and productivity. The innovative wearable robotic system of AGADEXO does not substitute for the individual, but it improves physical abilities, efficiency and satisfaction at work.
Our main target customers are SMEs and large companies operating in the logistics, retailing and manufacturing sectors, which are those mainly affected by WRMDs, mostly caused by manual material handling tasks. They experience the following main pains: i) the occurrence of occupational injuries that lower the quality of occupational safety; ii) the rise of absenteeism phenomena with consequent reduction of efficiency for those individuals subject to WRMDs and the overall drop of productivity for the whole production or logistic process; iii) exposure of the SMEs/MNEs owners to administrative penalties and criminal prosecutions with the following closing of the logistic/production plants.
WRMDs are one of the main causes of absenteeism at work in the EU, 40% of European workers (90 mln people) suffer from low back and shoulders’ WRMDs. This has a severe impact on workers’ quality of life, but also represents a cost sustained by companies. The economic impact of WRMDs in terms of productivity loss is estimated at 2% of the European GDP, not to mention the indirect impact on national healthcare systems. One of the main risk factors related to WRMDs is manual material handling which represents a common physically demanding activity in many occupational contexts.
AGADE aims to solve the WRMDs problem by developing a new generation of exoskeletons, wearable robots designed to enable human augmentation, with the vision to put robotics at the service of the workers. The innovative exoskeletons realized by AGADE are based on a disruptive and patented motion technology taking the name of the company itself: AGADE (anti-gravity active device for exoskeletons). It relies on a hybrid (active+passive) proprietary actuation system designed to reduce by 10 times electric consumption (compared to common electric motors) and, proportionally, batteries and motors’ weight. The mission of the startup is to implement the patented technology of AGADE to two different exoskeleton modules, leading to the commercialization of two innovative products: AGADEXO Shoulder, and AGADEXO Low-back, to reduce muscular stress of districts of the shoulders and of the low-back respectively. Moreover, our innovation disrupts the market with a high-tech device that becomes an IoT node linking the user to the whole production/logistic chain, monitoring fatigue state and productivity. The innovative wearable robotic system of AGADEXO does not substitute for the individual, but it improves physical abilities, efficiency and satisfaction at work.
Our main target customers are SMEs and large companies operating in the logistics, retailing and manufacturing sectors, which are those mainly affected by WRMDs, mostly caused by manual material handling tasks. They experience the following main pains: i) the occurrence of occupational injuries that lower the quality of occupational safety; ii) the rise of absenteeism phenomena with consequent reduction of efficiency for those individuals subject to WRMDs and the overall drop of productivity for the whole production or logistic process; iii) exposure of the SMEs/MNEs owners to administrative penalties and criminal prosecutions with the following closing of the logistic/production plants.
The AGADE project had three objectives: to finalize the development of the AGADEXO shoulder, develop an IoT feature to make exoskeletons capable of collecting useful data for optimizing production processes and complete the design and development of the AGADEXO Low back.
Agadexo shoulder, product market fit, and customer validation of the Beta version were performed in the frame of WP3. This included field tests with early adopters from target markets to collect feedback on user experience, and ergonomic laboratory tests based on use-case scenarios to collect qualitative results on the muscular stress reduction effectiveness of the exoskeleton. The feedback collected from users led the startup to make a new iteration of development on the Beta version of AGADEXO Shoulder module, improving user experience and the level of technology acceptability. Although this activity wasn't initially planned within the project work plan, it proved crucial for ensuring the best market penetration, not only for the go-to-market launch of the AGADEXO Shoulder module but also for the subsequent development of the AGADEXO low-back module related to WP6.
The IoT system was developed mainly in WP4, allowing the exoskeleton to receive, send, and store data collected during usage within logistic/production processes for health & safety and maintenance monitoring. A technical feasibility study was carried out, after which the feature itself was developed and tested. The implementation of the IoT feature on the first product AGADEXO Shoulder related to WP5 has been completed technically but has been released only on the AGADEXO Low-back exoskeleton, which has wider market coverage. However, when enough data is collected from the market penetrated by AGADEXO Shoulder, the IoT feature will also be released for this product.
Lastly, AGADEXO Low back was developed in the frame of WP6. In the first 12 months of the project, the EIC work plan expected the development of the first concept of AGADEXO Low-back, with an adaptation of the mechanical structure of AGADE to improve robustness and production, making AGADEXO more durable and resistant to failure. The AGADEXO Low-back exoskeleton has been fully designed, realized, and tested as a pre-industrialized version, implementing also the IoT connectivity feature. A product market fit testing plan has been prepared and initiated to begin penetrating different fields of target markets through pilot tests, as described in WP8, while CE certification and ergonomic certification related to the EAWS method have been obtained with the help of qualified advisors and suppliers, as part of WP7.
Agadexo shoulder, product market fit, and customer validation of the Beta version were performed in the frame of WP3. This included field tests with early adopters from target markets to collect feedback on user experience, and ergonomic laboratory tests based on use-case scenarios to collect qualitative results on the muscular stress reduction effectiveness of the exoskeleton. The feedback collected from users led the startup to make a new iteration of development on the Beta version of AGADEXO Shoulder module, improving user experience and the level of technology acceptability. Although this activity wasn't initially planned within the project work plan, it proved crucial for ensuring the best market penetration, not only for the go-to-market launch of the AGADEXO Shoulder module but also for the subsequent development of the AGADEXO low-back module related to WP6.
The IoT system was developed mainly in WP4, allowing the exoskeleton to receive, send, and store data collected during usage within logistic/production processes for health & safety and maintenance monitoring. A technical feasibility study was carried out, after which the feature itself was developed and tested. The implementation of the IoT feature on the first product AGADEXO Shoulder related to WP5 has been completed technically but has been released only on the AGADEXO Low-back exoskeleton, which has wider market coverage. However, when enough data is collected from the market penetrated by AGADEXO Shoulder, the IoT feature will also be released for this product.
Lastly, AGADEXO Low back was developed in the frame of WP6. In the first 12 months of the project, the EIC work plan expected the development of the first concept of AGADEXO Low-back, with an adaptation of the mechanical structure of AGADE to improve robustness and production, making AGADEXO more durable and resistant to failure. The AGADEXO Low-back exoskeleton has been fully designed, realized, and tested as a pre-industrialized version, implementing also the IoT connectivity feature. A product market fit testing plan has been prepared and initiated to begin penetrating different fields of target markets through pilot tests, as described in WP8, while CE certification and ergonomic certification related to the EAWS method have been obtained with the help of qualified advisors and suppliers, as part of WP7.
The AGADE project has achieved significant results across both implementation phases:
First phase results (M1-12):
- Finalized the industrialization-ready design of AGADEXO Shoulder module with improved user experience based on pilot client feedback
- Completed a comprehensive technical feasibility study for implementing IoT connectivity across our exoskeleton product line
- Enhanced the robustness and durability of AGADE technology while adapting its design architecture for the AGADEXO Low-back module
Second phase results (M13-31):
- Designed, realized, and tested the pre-industrialized version of AGADEXO Low-back with integrated IoT capabilities and AI-driven activity recognition
- Initiated a structured product market fit testing program with selected pilot clients across various industrial sectors
- Obtained EAWS ergonomic certification for the AGADEXO Shoulder exoskeleton
Impact potential:
- AGADEXO Shoulder reduces muscular stress by up to 40% at shoulder level
- AGADEXO Low-back reduces lumbar spine stress by up to 40% during material handling tasks
- Pilot customers report significant potential for ROI through reduced healthcare costs, decreased absenteeism, and improved productivity
Key needs for further success:
- Further research to optimize AI algorithms for activity recognition across diverse industrial applications
- Expanded demonstration activities with industry partners to build market confidence
- Standardization of metrics for exoskeleton effectiveness to support regulatory approval
- Access to scale-up financing for industrialization and international market expansion in EU manufacturing hubs and North American markets
First phase results (M1-12):
- Finalized the industrialization-ready design of AGADEXO Shoulder module with improved user experience based on pilot client feedback
- Completed a comprehensive technical feasibility study for implementing IoT connectivity across our exoskeleton product line
- Enhanced the robustness and durability of AGADE technology while adapting its design architecture for the AGADEXO Low-back module
Second phase results (M13-31):
- Designed, realized, and tested the pre-industrialized version of AGADEXO Low-back with integrated IoT capabilities and AI-driven activity recognition
- Initiated a structured product market fit testing program with selected pilot clients across various industrial sectors
- Obtained EAWS ergonomic certification for the AGADEXO Shoulder exoskeleton
Impact potential:
- AGADEXO Shoulder reduces muscular stress by up to 40% at shoulder level
- AGADEXO Low-back reduces lumbar spine stress by up to 40% during material handling tasks
- Pilot customers report significant potential for ROI through reduced healthcare costs, decreased absenteeism, and improved productivity
Key needs for further success:
- Further research to optimize AI algorithms for activity recognition across diverse industrial applications
- Expanded demonstration activities with industry partners to build market confidence
- Standardization of metrics for exoskeleton effectiveness to support regulatory approval
- Access to scale-up financing for industrialization and international market expansion in EU manufacturing hubs and North American markets