Startup Launches First Female-Specific Warehousing Exosuit

HeroWear LLC, which was formed out a research team at Vanderbilt University, recently announced that it has launched its latest exosuit. The company says it is the first such exoskeleton device on the market with a fit specifically designed and built for female users.

Nashville, Tennessee-based HeroWear’s Apex exosuit is a non-powered back-assist exoskeleton device that reduces strain on the lower back for benders, lifters, and leaners. Marketing the product to an audience of warehouse safety officers, the company said the Apex weighs only 3.4 pounds and reduces back strain by more than 50 pounds every time an object is lifted.

HeroWear said the Apex is composed of lightweight materials and features a proprietary on/off clutch mechanism. It provides maximum flexibility and supports a wide variety of motion.

"For exos to be truly helpful, they have to be easy to adopt by the average warehouse worker,” said HeroWear CEO and co-founder Mark Harris. “The reality is, even for a person lifting 150 boxes an hour, they only spend 10% of their time lifting. The other 90% of their time they are doing other things, often walking or riding a forklift. That’s why from day one we built the Apex to not interfere with their motion. With our textile-based device, you get assistance when you need it, and it gets out of the way when you don’t.”

HeroWear’s website states that the Apex — designed for both men and women — can be adjusted to fit workers of all sizes, with more than 50 different fit combinations.