DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
SATI : The StrongArm FLx ErgoSkeleton is designed for active workers whom we consider to be Industrial Athletes. In combination with proper ergonomics training, the FLx is designed to help remind wearers to maintain proper posture while lifting.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
SATI : The main focus has been the Industrial Athletes. These active workers were the driving force for the design and the iterations that were made throughout the process.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
SATI : The FLx ErgoSkeleton will be commercialized and sold through distribution to companies that have a need to protect their Industrial Athletes.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
SATI : The design process took a little over a year from concept to completion.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
SATI : The design began because we saw that Industrial Athletes needed support to encourage proper ergonomic lifting techniques throughout their workday. Once we established the need, we were able to move forward with design iterations and prototype testing in various facilities.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
SATI : The design for the FLx was a result of recognizing a need during the trials of our flagship product, the V22 ErgoSkeleton. The V22 is designed for lifting heavier objects while maintaining proper posture. We found that many workers did not need to lift heavy objects regularly. This resulted in the FLx, a product that is primarily a postural conformance device.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
SATI : The target customers are businesses that have workforces full of Industrial Athletes who have a need to maintain proper posture throughout their workday.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
SATI : The FLx is designed with the mindset of providing athletic safety equipment for industrial workers. We see the work that they do as highly active and equivalent to that of professional athletes. The FLx was designed with the approach of athletic appeal to a target audience of the Industrial Athlete.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
SATI : FLx is in reference to the flexibility needed to work throughout the day. ErgoSkeleton is a term coined at StrongArm which refers to the combination between Ergonomics which involves the study of people’s efficiency in their working environment and Exoskeleton which is an external skeleton that provides support for the body. The FLx ErgoSkeleton is a wearable, self powered lifting device that combines the core principles of ergonomics and exoskeletons, aimed to improve human productivity, health, and wellness during active work.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
SATI : The most unique aspect of the design is the flex element. The flexibility in the spine comes from an engineered region of the device which has the ability to be adjusted based on the strength and feedback needs of the user.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
SATI : Collaboration between designers, mechanical engineers, ergonomic specialists, softgoods experts, and hardgoods experts resulted in the outcome of the product.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
SATI : The role of the technology in this device is to act as a biomimetic feedback system, resulting in better overall postural conformance.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
SATI : The device went through numerous tests and iterations with Industrial Athletes. Both qualitative and quantitative feedback for comfort, product effectiveness, and user feedback resulted in design decisions.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
SATI : One of the main challenges with this particular product is that everyone is different. People are various shapes and sizes, resulting in a difficult product design. The FLx is designed to meet the needs of as much of the population as possible.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
SATI : The entire team at StrongArm Technologies has had the opportunity to see first-hand the challenges that Industrial Athletes face every day at work. We are continually inspired by the stories that we hear and the people that we hope to help.
