This document summarizes an interview between Jan Groenefeld, a UX designer, and Dr. Samuel Reimer of Ottobock regarding exoskeleton technology. Dr. Reimer explains that Ottobock focuses on passive exoskeletons that provide support without increasing strength. He discusses how they aim to maximize support while minimizing weight and movement restrictions. Dr. Reimer also emphasizes the importance of user needs and acceptance, and states that Ottobock closely involves users in testing and development. Finally, he expresses optimism about the future as exoskeletons incorporate more sensors and connectivity to provide additional data and insights.

1. UX and
Exoskeletons
— An Expert
Interview
Jan Groenefeld Lead UX Designer,
Solution Manager Industry
Dr. Samuel Reimer Business
Development for the Ottobock
Exoskeleton Portfolio
03.12.2020 • 6 minutes reading time
In the first part of our article on the Paexo exoskeleton, our
Solution Manager Industry Jan Groenefeld tells us about his
visit to Ottobock and what he learned about “human
mobility”. Missed this article? Then check it out here!
Why are we — as a digital agency focusing on user experience —
even interested in things like this?
The answer is simple: innovation and curiosity are part of our DNA.
Ergosign also sees itself as an active driver of digital
WORK SERVICES INSIGHTS CAREER PEOPLE CONTACT

2. transformation. In order to provide our clients from various
industries with meaningful advice, it’s essential to broaden our own
horizons. Even if technology doesn’t seem to have anything at all to
do with user interfaces in the strictest sense at first glance.
This is the case with Ottobock exoskeletons.
A key moment was the realization that Ergosign and Ottobock are
linked by a common mission: human-centered design through the
responsible and sustainable use of present and future technology.
For a world where technology actively supports people instead of
overwhelming them.
We’ve summarized Jan Gronefeld’s insightful interview with
Samuel Reimer (Business Development at Ottobock) for you:
Exo-What? Active, Passive,
Smart.
Jan: “Trying things out in the Experience World was impressive. All
of my colleagues said the same thing, ‘I want to give that a go!’”
Samuel: Indeed, exoskeletons do come with an impressive ‘cool
factor’ if you can put it that way. Even at college, lots of
students were interested in the topic of the human-machine
interface, how humans can be turned into superheroes.
The key to success is not necessarily in producing highly complex
and technically flamboyant cyborgs to give us superhuman powers.
The greatest value even today is offered by wearable assistance
systems that significantly reduce the physical burden in
production, assembly, logistics and many other physically intense

3. professions.
This way of connecting people with
This way of connecting people with
technology can help humanity. And it should!
technology can help humanity. And it should!
The keyword is ergonomics — where the automation of workplaces
reaches its limit, exoskeletons provide a crucial solution for many
people.”
Jan: “Before we get too deep, can you please explain the technical
background?”
Samuel: “Workplaces today, for example in production, assembly
and logistics, are extremely dynamic and fast-paced. Stationary
robots and fully automated assembly systems go hand in hand with
extensive implementation and high implementation costs. Hence,
they are often not economical and are vulnerable to changes within
internal processes.
Exoskeletons, on the other hand, are incredibly flexible. In
principle, they’re orthotics worn directly on the body to support
people, or certain extremities, in specific situations.”
Jan: “You call these systems Wearable Human Bionics at Ottobock,
right?”
Samuel: “That’s right, yes. Bionics stands for “biologically
inspired engineering”. Our products live from over 100 years of
biomechanical expertise, which we use in our exoskeleton
development. Our developers are well aware what power and
supportive measures are helpful in which areas of the body, as well
as how these systems should ideally be worn on the body.
The technology itself is often simple. But specific implementation

4. for various body shapes, sizes and weights, as well as the alignment
of the perfect level of support, is highly complex.
Jan: “In my research on exoskeletons, I’ve come across two
different types - active and passive.”
Samuel: “Research has been separating exoskeletons into these
two categories for a while now. Motorized “active systems” don’t
just provide support — they can also increase the wearer’s physical
strength. These systems are limited to the current state of
technology. Here too, the exoskeleton should be made as compact
and lightweight as possible and give sufficient support without the
wearer feeling restricted in their everyday movements.”
Jan: “Of course - the extra weight comes from all the necessary
batteries, electronics and actuators. And the sensors have to react
in real time…”
Samuel: “That’s right - and that’s exactly the reason why we are
currently still using passive motor technology. Support is provided
by spring and pully elements that save energy situationally. During
activities, the power is then returned to where it is needed most.
Even though we already have a great deal of know-how internally
— just look at the highly innovative, active C-leg from Ottobock —
we take a rather “conservative” approach, unlike some of our
competitors. But we center our focus on actual customer
needs. Alongside protecting the body, these are maximum support
at the lowest possible weight, no restriction of movement, subtle
design and, last but not least, easy usability.”
The Paexo Back by Ottobock. Image: Ottobock

5. The Paexo Back by Ottobock. Image: Ottobock
Jan: “That sounds understandable. What’s irritating me is the lack
of connection. Smart factories gain life from the constant exchange
of data between different parties Your exoskeletons don’t seem
very communicative?”
Our Paexos are becoming smart. The key here
Our Paexos are becoming smart. The key here
is active communication in the IoT
is active communication in the IoT
environment.
environment.
Samuel: “No digitization just for the point of it! Currently, our
Paexos communicate in the classic way, i.e. through people. Of
course, digitization is not passing us by. We just don’t want to
create exoskeletons for the point of it. Through our very close
customer interaction and regular communication with end
users, user needs are transparent and accessible for us. We
can therefore tailor resources and know-how in research and
development to this knowledge.
In my opinion, basic functions will remain “passive” for a while
yet. Digitization will let us switch to “active” in the near future.”
Jan: “That’s what I wanted to hear.” (laughs)

6. Samuel: “An example: Additional sensors, for example, would let
us quantify how much burden certain workplaces put on workers
and what improvements exoskeletons can achieve. An essential
information when it comes to establishing a concrete return on
investment. A conclusive statement that I think sums up our
philosophy well:
“If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage
“If you cannot measure it, you cannot manage
it!”
it!”
Jan: “Data collected by sensors must be an important key in the
further development of your Paexos. Active communication with
the IoT world opens up a completely new dimension of product
ideas and business models, right?”
Samuel: “Absolutely: Digital Twin and Digital Service, Exoskeleton
Fleet Service Hub, Exoskeleton Data Hubs for Third Parties,
Predictive Maintenance, Pay-per-Use billing models and much
more. The possibilities are enormous.”
User Acceptance - Humans
Take Center Stage
Jan: “Let’s stay on the topic of user acceptance. What have you
done up to now to ensure the system is intuitive? To make sure the
user has fun and trusts your products?”
Samuel: “The short answer is: we ask ourselves what the customer
needs or might need. As already mentioned, our developers are in
regular communication with our industrial partners, to test their
latest functional prototypes on site. Close, ongoing work on and

7. with users throughout a test phase over several months provides us
with valuable feedback. This knowledge is then condensed with all
stakeholders, and iteratively incorporated. This might sound
familiar to you...”
In heavy industry, at home or at work:
successful products have a mission. They solve
problems, create added value, evoke emotions.
To achieve this, all production steps follow a
purposeful strategy.
It’s the same in our projects. Curious? Our
strategy page provides a compact overview of
our services. Find out more here!
Jan: “Actually, your approach mostly complies with the Usability
Engineering process under ISO 9241 and agile process models.
That’s definitely the right path. What else?”
Samuel: “As I already mentioned, physical factors like weight and
freedom of movement are essential to the wearer. Nobody would
be prepared to put on an assistance system that limits natural
movements too much. The same goes for pressure points and skin
irritations due to the weight or its support, which might be adjusted
wrongly.”
Jan: “Both aspects have been solved really well in the Paexo
Shoulder in my opinion, and the supportive effect is remarkable.
The Paexo Back is also a great assistance system. At the same time,
it feels considerably more solid. In our experience, rejection or
enthusiasm often arise in the first few moments of use.

8. At this point, a digital guide could actively dissipate any
reservations. After all, not everyone has a Samuel at their side to
explain things.”
Samuel: “Comparable to the in-app onboarding processes for
modern consumer products? That sounds very exciting. Of course,
we are already making use of comprehensive digital training
options. But we are naturally always ready and willing to further
perfect this process.
The latest sensors could help find the perfect fit for the user. A
memory function, like those in cars, could help to optimize the
system at the touch of a button. Ottobock could also better shape
the first contact points with its products, and learn from this direct
feedback channel.”
Health and safety officers are probably quite
Health and safety officers are probably quite
rightly asking: What does it do to the body?
rightly asking: What does it do to the body?
Jan: “Acceptance is created through explanation. And Ottobock is
doing quite a lot in this area.”
Samuel: “Absolutely. We actively involve essential stakeholders,
such as health and safety officers, ergonomists, regulators,
scientists, doctors and, of course, customers. After all, this is a
new technology.
As part of our PR work, we’ve founded multiple virtual fairs -
ExoDay and ExoMeet - with representatives from health and
safety, industrial businesses and end users. We’re also investing
lots of energy into effectiveness, simulation and long-term studies
to document the effectiveness of our products and to use this for
developing the market further.

9. In my experience, subjective acceptance is the be all and end
all. You can prove everything with studies. But if a member of staff
doesn’t want to wear it, managers and excecutives will quickly run
out of arguments.”
Future & Summary
Jan: “We are slowly reaching the home stretch of our interview.
What would you like to leave our readers with?”
Samuel: “People are the key. I think it will take a very, very long
time for machines to fully replace humans in terms of intelligence,
versatility and ability to react. And as long as this is the case, the
industry will always come up against the limits of automation
solutions and will have to seek solutions elsewhere. The human
factor and the question of how technology can support - not replace
- humans have to take center stage in the discussion. Of course, we
will carry on down this path.
Connection is important in order to take part in the digitization
cosmos as an active member. Mechanically speaking, our Paexos
are already State of the Art. But I’m certain: active-digital Paexo
exoskeletons are an important driver that will speed up the whole
thing even more.
Data and visualizations that get across what exactly the
exoskeleton is doing are an important piece of the puzzle for Paexo-
Vision. Our next step will be to visualize the powers and burdens at
workplaces. To this end, we need the sensors we talked about at
the beginning.”
Jan: “You must know the saying: technology is a reflection of
society? Do you have an ethical code that you follow?”

10. Samuel: “My philosophy is: no digitization just for the sake of it.
What’s much more important is the awareness of what long-term
added value we can initiate for the user, but also for health and
safety officers and managers.
We’ve achieved a lot in a short time. And the community is
completely behind our ergonomic solutions. But we still have some
things left on our list. It shouldn’t be boring either. Being able to
ride this first wave of a technical revolution is great. It's simply an
incredible feeling.”
Jan: “A great closing sentence. Samuel - thank you for a lovely chat
and exciting insights.”
Paexos in Action
If you’d like to find out more about Ottobock and exoskeletons,
Samuel recommends the videos on the Ottobock YouTube channel:
About Dr. Samuel Reimer
Youtube Video: Paexo Shoulder exoskeleton by Ottobock
By playing the video, personal data is transferred to the operators of the video portal
(Youtube or Vimeo). Further information can be found in our privacy policy.

11. Dr. Samuel Reimer is responsible for the Business Development of
Ottobock’s Paexo Portfolio. After studying Medical Engineering in
England and North America, he did a PhD on wearable assistance
systems and exoskeletons at the Technical University of Munich.
He then moved into strategic consulting at the Boston Consulting
Group before moving to Ottobock. Find out more about him on
LinkedIn. The Ottobock product page has more detailed
information on the Paexo portfolio.
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