Back exoskeletons provide noticeable relief



Hermes Germany relies on back exoskeletons from 'SUITX by Ottobock' for sorting large items
Large items make up only a small proportion of Hermes Germany's consignments, but their weight makes them a particular burden. Hermes Germany is the first parcel logistics company in Germany to introduce the currently lightest model of back exoskeletons of its kind at three locations in order to relieve the strain on employees.
There are many work steps in parcel logistics that are physically challenging - sorting large items and bulky items, i.e. heavy and bulky consignments, is one of them. Hermes Germany has purchased six back exoskeletons for regular use in order to relieve the strain on its employees, especially at the three locations with the highest proportion of large and bulky items. The company has been the first parcel logistics provider in Germany to use the IX BACK AIR model from SUITX by Ottobock in continuous operation at its logistics centers in Friedewald, Graben and Langenhagen since July of this year. Currently the lightest back exoskeleton of its kind, it relieves pressure on the spine while allowing full freedom of movement, so that employees benefit from immediate relief.
From small and light like a soccer shirt to large and heavy like a piece of furniture - these days, many everyday items are shopped for online. The majority of parcels and packages sent across the country every day tend to be small and manageable, with the average weight of a shipment at Hermes Germany recently being around two kilograms. Working with large items and bulky items, even if they make up a comparatively small proportion of the total shipment volume, is all the more physically demanding. This is why it is particularly important to find solutions to make work easier for employees in terms of health promotion.

This is where the back exoskeletons come into play, which were specifically purchased for the Hermes logistics centers in Friedewald (Hesse), Graben (Bavaria) and Langenhagen (Lower Saxony) - three locations with an increased volume of large items. In Friedewald, for example, the proportion of large and bulky consignments is on average more than twice as high as the national average, and at the other two locations it is at a similar level. "With the back exoskeletons, the physical strain on employees can be reduced, especially in the large item and bulky goods area," explains Dennis Isern. The manager of the Friedewald logistics center has been instrumental in driving the topic forward at Hermes Germany. "The exoskeletons optimize the movement sequence and effectively reduce the load by up to 15 kilograms when lifting."
The maximum weight of parcels sent via Hermes Germany is 31.5 kilograms. However, by far the majority of shipments are much lighter: shipments weighing over 20 kilograms make up less than two percent of the company's shipment portfolio.
High acceptance among employees
Hermes Germany has already tested various exoskeleton models in the past. In addition to the effective reduction in strain, acceptance among employees is particularly important for the parcel logistics company. Arne Zieris, Manager of the Langenhagen logistics center, explains: "For our colleagues, practical reasons play a major role: the device should be as light as possible and easy and uncomplicated to change during shift handovers." The purchased exoskeletons meet both of these requirements, which significantly increases acceptance: weighing just under three kilograms, the IX BACK AIR can be put on and taken off in less than half a minute. The employee simply puts on a lightweight textile belt around the hips, into which the device, which can be adapted to the body size, is clipped. "The exoskeleton can then be worn for the entire shift without having to change batteries, for example, as it uses the body's own energy," Arne Zieris continues. SUITX by Ottobock relies on biomechanical systems. These redirect the forces in the body and temporarily store the body's own energy until it is released again in a targeted manner during peak loads in the shoulder and back area to relieve the user, as the manufacturer's ergonomics experts explain.


Noticeable relief immediately experiencable
With the introduction of back exoskeletons at the Friedewald, Graben, and Langenhagen logistics centers, two primary users at each location initially began working with the device. In a joint workshop at the end of June 2024, employees received extensive training on the use of the exoskeletons to ensure they can benefit optimally from the support in their future tasks. To make the relief directly experiencable through immediate comparison, the primary users will work with the device for the first six weeks, followed by two weeks of sorting without the exoskeleton. This allows Hermes Germany to directly evaluate with the employees how wearing exoskeletons impacts their work and health.
Expectations for the new technology at the three locations are high. How the employees experience this new form of support will be revealed in the coming weeks. "I am very pleased that we can set a benchmark in employee health with the back exoskeletons. We were particularly convinced by the factors of wearing comfort, mobility, and quick donning and doffing – now we are very curious to see how these aspects prove themselves in everyday practice," said Wolfgang Fackelmann, manager of the Graben logistics center. Initial impressions are already quite positive, as reported by Dennis Isern from Friedewald in Hesse.
The launch of exoskeletons as a component of health promotion in the commercial sector at Hermes Germany has thus begun. "Of course, we will continue to monitor new developments in the market over the coming years to provide further relief, especially for our colleagues with dynamic work processes," said Dennis Isern. In addition to technical support, such as automatic sorting systems, Hermes Germany continues to focus on organizing health days and collaborating with occupational health partners.
Publications
Newsroom Hermesworld, 2024:
Noticeable relief: Hermes Germany relies on back exoskeletons for sorting large items (German)
Newsroom Hermesworld, 2024:
How exoskeletons work (German)
Logistik-heute.de, 2024:
Ergonomics: Hermes makes parcel handling easier with exoskeletons (German)
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