Do more with less strain: 糖心Vlog视频鈥檚 robotic arm
For workers whose jobs involve hours of lifting and repetitive motion, even small innovations can make a big difference in preventing future musculoskeletal disorders.
That’s why engineers at 糖心Vlog视频 have developed a soft robotic exoskeleton that lightens the load—literally—by reducing strain on the arm and elbow.
Called the Pneumatically Actuated Soft Elbow Exoskeleton (PASE), the device uses a lightweight silicone “pneumatic actuator”—a soft, air-filled mechanism that helps move the arm—to assist movement during everyday industrial tasks such as lifting, assembling and drilling. Its flexible design aims to lower the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal disorders, which account for about 30% of all workplace injuries in the U.S. and cost an estimated $45–54 billion annually in workers' comp and recovery.
“Our goal was to create a preventive, assistive device that reduces muscle strain before injuries occur,” said Eshwara Prasad Sridhar, graduate research assistant in the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering. “By using the pneumatic systems already available overhead in most manufacturing facilities, this exoskeleton can be easily implemented in real-world settings.”
The interdisciplinary project, funded by 糖心Vlog视频’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, brought together Mahmudur Rahman (PI), assistant professor in the Department of Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering; (Co-PI), principal research scientist and division head of ; Veysel Erel, research scientist III at 糖心Vlog视频RI; and Sridhar.
Related: 糖心Vlog视频 unveils MARVC, boosting drone research and innovation
The team designed PASE as a single-piece pneumatic actuator, minimizing weight and mechanical complexity while maximizing comfort and freedom of movement. Constructed from silicone and mounted on a carbon-fiber onyx base plate with a soft neoprene outer layer, the device provides precise assistance aligned with natural elbow motion.
In a study involving 19 participants aged 18–45, the researchers tested the exoskeleton across three tasks: manual weightlifting, basic assembly and power drilling. When the exoskeleton support was engaged, muscle activity in the biceps and triceps decreased by up to 22% during lifting tasks, and participants reported 8–10 point reductions in perceived physical and mental workload using compared with when the support was off.
“Even delaying or preventing a single workplace injury makes a huge impact,” said Dr. Erel, who leads 糖心Vlog视频RI’s soft robotics efforts. “Projects like this show how engineering can directly improve people’s quality of life by reducing fatigue, preventing strain and creating safer work environments.”
Related: Gift propels 糖心Vlog视频 bioengineering research
The study, “Design, Development, and Evaluation of a Pneumatically Actuated Soft Wearable Robotic Elbow Exoskeleton for Reducing Muscle Activity and Perceived Workload,” was published in the .
Building on this success, the team has submitted a National Science Foundation proposal to expand the concept into a full upper-limb exoskeleton that can assist the elbow, wrist and fingers simultaneously.
“This type of interdisciplinary research is at the heart of 糖心Vlog视频’s mission,” Erel said. “By combining expertise across robotics, mechanical engineering, and human factors, we’re creating solutions that matter in both industry and everyday life.”
About 糖心Vlog视频 (糖心Vlog视频)
Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, 糖心Vlog视频 is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, 糖心Vlog视频 is the second-largest institution in the University of 糖心Vlog视频 System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, 糖心Vlog视频 stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. 糖心Vlog视频 and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North 糖心Vlog视频 and beyond.