At the German Digital Summit in Frankfurt am Main, Kristina Sinemus, the Hessian Minister for Digitalization and Innovation, had the opportunity to lift a crate of apple wine using an Apogee power suit from German Bionic. Her comment: "Wow, that was significantly easier with the artificial skeleton."
Over 1,500 participants from business, science, civil society, and politics discussed digital future topics for two days at the Digital Summit, which took place in Frankfurt am Main on October 21 and 22. As part of a "Market of Digital Possibilities," German Bionic demonstrated its Apogee robotic exoskeleton for industry and care, as well as the German Bionic IO ergonomics data platform, using concrete application scenarios.
Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital Affairs and Transport, fully grasped the concept. "This strengthens the human factor, which is the crucial point. That's fantastic. Extremely convincing," he commented on Monday morning during his visit to the German Bionic booth. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck and numerous other representatives from business, science, civil society, and politics also visited the booth. Habeck and Wissing also referred to the robotic exoskeletons in their keynote speeches and panel discussions during the congress.
Participants at the Digital Summit were able to test the wearable exoskeletons themselves, experiencing human augmentation firsthand in realistic lifting and holding situations. Kristina Sinemus slipped the Apogee over her suit, lifted the crate of apple wine, and was satisfied.
Human-machine systems, worn on the body, have been used for some time in both industry and healthcare settings to protect employees from overuse injuries. They allow users to amplify their own movements when lifting, walking, or working in a bent-over position. Unlike passive exoskeletons, which primarily provide support, the Apogee and Apogee+ series actively respond to the user's movements. Sensors detect individual movement patterns and control servomotors, which in turn actively generate additional power. This allows for the release of forces that the human body alone could not produce – up to 36 kilograms per lifting action.
The video for the Minister Contest is here.
(Photos and video: German Bionic)
