Robotic exoskeleton suits that give manual labourers extra strength could be about to transform the workplace.
The power suits, designed by the European firm German Bionic, were among the main attractions on the second day of the technology exhibition Gitex Europe in Berlin.
The Apogee wearable tool, which has the appearance of a robotic vest, is already being used in factories, hospitals and production lines, where it is being used for a variety of tasks including changing tyres in car garages and easing the load of baggage handlers at Stuttgart Airport.
The company behind the device hopes that its success in Europe will soon be replicated in the UAE. The firm is looking to build new partnerships with Dubai investors and take the robotic vests into the Middle East.
Devices lift up to 36kg, providing "an intelligent link between humans and machines", as it learns each wearer’s behaviours and walking patterns to improve performance.
The Apogee is the sixth generation of the vest, with German Bionic’s chief product officer Norma Steller expecting the device to continue to improve.
“The purpose of the device is that it augments the human body in a way that gives you additional strength and power when you're lifting, when you're walking, or also when you're forward bending,” Ms Steller told The National in Berlin.
“In most cases, it is compensating the whole weight of anything that has to be handled. In Europe, most cargo is still moved on the road by lorries and the unloading and loading is still manual work. The exoskeleton will help and compensate those stress moments.”
Initial prototypes weighed 12kg, but the latest model on show at Gitex had its weight cut to just 7kg. The strength is provided by two electric robotic weight engines, with rechargeable power banks providing around four hours of battery life. Devices cost around Dh290,000, but can be rented for around D1,250 a month.
Wearable vest complements human skills
Rather than robots replacing workers, the devices allow an existing workforce to maximise their output, Ms Steller added. “You still have a human worker with the creativity, problem-solving skills and technical experience, but with the strength of a robot,” she said.
Company investors include Storm Ventures, Benhamou Global Ventures and MIG Capital, an early investor into BioNTech that developed a vaccine for Covid-19. In 2023, the device won a German Entrepreneur Award for innovation in an industry that has grown considerably in the last decade.
Driven by an increasing need for rehabilitation technology and workplace safety, manufacturing and health care have been the industries to see the greatest expansion.
That looks set to continue, with a forecast by industry analysts at Fortune Business Insights suggesting the global market for wearable robotic exoskeletons will reach $30.56 billion by 2032.
In 2023, the US army trialled a robotic exoskeleton to help soldiers carry heavy loads into the battlefield, and to help load howitzer shells. Troops from the 1-78 Field Artillery Battalion tested the futuristic suits to improve strength and endurance during combat.
At a Gitex panel on humanoid and human-centric robots, Pawel Mroczkowski, executive director of DBR77 Robotics said Europe was currently lagging behind the US in bringing robots into industry.
“In Europe, we need a new way of approaching the development speed for humanoids and human-centred robotics,” he said. “We know how robots and their applications will impact our companies for the next two or three years, but investors need to take a deeper jump into this industry.”
Since its inaugural event in Dubai in 1981, Gitex has expanded to host events in technology, business and health care in Africa, Asia and now Europe. On the opening day of the event on Wednesday, Alia Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, hoped the three-day show would attract further investment into UAE tech companies.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures
October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The years Ramadan fell in May
How Filipinos in the UAE invest
A recent survey of 10,000 Filipino expatriates in the UAE found that 82 per cent have plans to invest, primarily in property. This is significantly higher than the 2014 poll showing only two out of 10 Filipinos planned to invest.
Fifty-five percent said they plan to invest in property, according to the poll conducted by the New Perspective Media Group, organiser of the Philippine Property and Investment Exhibition. Acquiring a franchised business or starting up a small business was preferred by 25 per cent and 15 per cent said they will invest in mutual funds. The rest said they are keen to invest in insurance (3 per cent) and gold (2 per cent).
Of the 5,500 respondents who preferred property as their primary investment, 54 per cent said they plan to make the purchase within the next year. Manila was the top location, preferred by 53 per cent.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The stats: 2017 Jaguar XJ
Price, base / as tested Dh326,700 / Dh342,700
Engine 3.0L V6
Transmission Eight-speed automatic
Power 340hp @ 6,000pm
Torque 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.1L / 100km
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
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Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Ducati SuperSport S
Price, base / as tested: Dh74,900 / Dh85,900
Engine: 937cc
Transmission: Six-speed gearbox
Power: 110hp @ 9,000rpm
Torque: 93Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 5.9L / 100km
Results:
5pm: Baynunah Conditions (UAE bred) Dh80,000 1,400m.
Winner: Al Tiryaq, Dane O’Neill (jockey), Abdullah Al Hammadi (trainer).
5.30pm: Al Zahra Handicap (rated 0-45) Dh 80,000 1,400m:
Winner: Fahadd, Richard Mullen, Ahmed Al Mehairbi.
6pm: Al Ras Al Akhdar Maiden Dh80,000 1,600m.
Winner: Jaahiz, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
6.30pm: Al Reem Island Handicap Dh90,000 1,600m.
Winner: AF Al Jahed, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
7pm: Al Khubairah Handicap (TB) 100,000 2,200m.
Winner: Empoli, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap Dh80,000 2,200m.
Winner: Shivan OA, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi.
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
Grand slam winners since July 2003
Who has won major titles since Wimbledon 2003 when Roger Federer won his first grand slam
Roger Federer 19 (8 Wimbledon, 5 Australian Open, 5 US Open, 1 French Open)
Rafael Nadal 16 (10 French Open, 3 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open)
Novak Djokovic 12 (6 Australian Open, 3 Wimbledon, 2 US Open, 1 French Open)
Andy Murray 3 (2 Wimbledon, 1 US Open)
Stan Wawrinka 3 (1 Australian Open, 1 French Open, 1 US Open)
Andy Roddick 1 (1 US Open)
Gaston Gaudio 1 (1 French Open)
Marat Safin 1 (1 Australian Open)
Juan Martin del Potro 1 (1 US Open)
Marin Cilic 1 (1 US Open)
