Publications / 2025 Proceedings of the 42nd ISARC, Montreal, Canada
The adoption of active exoskeleton systems in the construction industry shows potential for reducing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) by providing physical support to workers during labor-intensive tasks. However, concerns about the potential impact of exoskeletons on workers' vigilance and attention to hazards have not been fully explored. This study examines the effect of active exoskeletons on the vigilance levels of construction workers during common construction tasks. A high-fidelity, immersive virtual reality (VR) environment was developed to realistically simulate material handling tasks and collect eye-tracking data. Eighteen participants completed tasks under two conditions: with and without the use of an active back-support exoskeleton. Eye-tracking metrics, including fixation count and fixation duration on predefined Areas of Interest (AOI) of hazards in the simulated environment, were collected from the participants and analyzed to assess vigilance levels. The results showed no statistically significant difference in vigilance levels between participants, regardless of whether they used the exoskeleton. These findings suggest that the use of active exoskeletons does not negatively affect workers' vigilance or their ability to identify hazards. This study provides an empirical basis for supporting the wider adoption of active exoskeletons on construction sites.