Parcel deliverers have to lift a lot and that can affect their backs. But relief seems near: in Japan, designers have actually developed a suit that should make it easier to lift heavy products.
Panasonic's robot division developed the Assist Suit AWN-03. This 6-kilogram suit lets delivery workers lift objects up to 15 kilograms without straining their lower backs.
First tests
Yamato, Japan's largest parcel delivery company, has already agreed to test the Assist Suit in the near future. It seems somewhat unlikely that parcel deliverers will actually walk the streets with the heavy suit. For example, can the delivery driver keep the suit on while riding in a transport van? Yamato's tests will show how useful the Assist Suit is in practice.
For other sectors too
Vendors of the suit expect to sell around 1,000 units in the first year. This does not only include the transport sector, but also, for example, agriculture and construction.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
