Exoskeletons from Ottobock Industrials
Paexo exoskeletons are made by Ottobock, a long-established company with 100 years of expertise in the development and production of biomechanical and orthopaedic products. Since 2012, Ottobock has been researching innovative solutions to make jobs in industry, logistics and the trade sector more ergonomic. Our goal is to provide relief for people who perform physically demanding tasks, such as overhead work, thereby creating healthier working conditions. Ottobock Industrials offers a broad range of passive exoskeletons and solutions for assembly, maintenance, painting and construction.
Ergonomics at work
Demographic change, rising life expectancy and a declining birth rate are increasingly leading to a shortage of skilled workers and longer working lives. Our Paexo exoskeleton series aims to offer technical solutions that help people protect their health as they perform physically demanding tasks on a daily basis. All of our products are developed at our headquarters in Duderstadt, Germany.
Contact
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Paexo Shoulder
The Paexo Shoulder exoskeleton assists employees in production and the trade sector during strenuous activities, particularly overhead work.
Paexo Neck
The new neck support Paexo Neck relieves the cervical spine during overhead work.
Paexo Thumb
The small and extremely lightweight exoskeleton provides relief during assembly tasks by redirecting forces to the entire hand.
Paexo Wrist
The Paexo Wrist supports movements in the wrist while lifting and holding heavy objects.
Paexo Soft Back
The Paexo Soft Back supports the user’s lower spine when carrying out activities in the standing position and handling light loads.
Ottobock – a family business for 100 years
Ottobock – mobility for people
German global market leader Ottobock stands for high-quality, technologically outstanding solutions in the field of medical technology and has been in business for 100 years. Subsidiaries in more than 57 countries offer “Made in Germany” quality worldwide and employ more than 7,000 people.
Ottobock products set standards worldwide
Research and development are part of Ottobock’s DNA. This work always focuses on innovative prostheses that offer everyday relief for users thanks to electronic intelligence. Based on this technology, products from our prosthetics range are continuously setting standards in the provision of medical devices to people with disabilities.
Milestones in the company history
1919 First prosthetic components produced in series
Otto Bock works together with like-minded people to improve life circumstances for tens of thousands who were injured in the war.
1955 The first export hit
Max Näder exports the first 500 units of the Jüpa knee to the US. A commercial breakthrough comes thanks to the friction brake knee joint, which features high stability.
1969 Modular system sets standard worldwide
Max Näder coins the phrase “humanising prostheses”. A pyramid joining the prosthetic foot, knee joint and socket is patented in 1969. For the first time, it’s possible to make static corrections and exchange the modules.
1990 Hans Georg Näder assumes management of the company
He continues to drive the company’s globalisation forward and makes it the global market leader in technical orthopaedics.
1997 Introduction of the C-Leg
This is the world’s first lower limb prosthesis solution to be controlled entirely by a microprocessor.
2011 Genium – Bionic Prosthetic Solution
A breakthrough in exoprosthetics, this solution makes it possible to almost identically replicate the natural gait.
2011 The Michelangelo prosthetic hand
A quantum leap in upper limb prosthetics. Muscle signals provide the basis for controlling four moveable fingers and a thumb that can be positioned separately.
2012 Development partnership with the VW Group
This partnership aims to jointly develop ergonomic solutions for production and results in the first Paexo exoskeletons for industrial applications.
2015 Market launch of the Kenevo
The microprocessor-controlled lower limb prosthesis solution is also available to people with lower mobility grades for the first time.
2018 Ottobock Industrials
Ottobock establishes a new business area. Its first product, the Paexo Shoulder, makes overhead work easier.
2019 C-Brace® wins German mobility prize
The knee-ankle-foot orthosis is the first mechatronic orthotic solution in the world that can control the entire gait cycle dynamically and in real time.
Ottobock – mobility for people
German global market leader Ottobock stands for high-quality, technologically outstanding solutions in the field of medical technology and has been in business for 100 years. Subsidiaries in more than 57 countries offer “Made in Germany” quality worldwide and employ more than 7,000 people.
Ottobock products set standards worldwide
Research and development are part of Ottobock’s DNA. This work always focuses on innovative prostheses that offer everyday relief for users thanks to electronic intelligence. Based on this technology, products from our prosthetics range are continuously setting standards in the provision of medical devices to people with disabilities.
Milestones in the company history
1919 – first prosthetic components produced in series
Otto Bock works together with like-minded people to improve life circumstances for tens of thousands who were injured in the war.
1955 – the first export hit
Max Näder exports the first 500 units of the Jüpa knee to the US. A commercial breakthrough comes thanks to the friction brake knee joint, which features high stability.
1969 – modular system sets standard worldwide
Max Näder coins the phrase “humanising prostheses”. A pyramid joining the prosthetic foot, knee joint and socket is patented in 1969. For the first time, it’s possible to make static corrections and exchange the modules.
1990 – Hans Georg Näder assumes management of the company
He continues to drive the company’s globalisation forward and makes it the global market leader in technical orthopaedics.
1997 – introduction of the C-Leg
This is the world’s first lower limb prosthesis solution to be controlled entirely by a microprocessor.
2011 – Genium – Bionic Prosthetic Solution
A breakthrough in exoprosthetics, this solution makes it possible to almost identically replicate the natural gait.
2011 – the Michelangelo prosthetic hand
A quantum leap in upper limb prosthetics. Muscle signals provide the basis for controlling four moveable fingers and a thumb that can be positioned separately.
2012 – development partnership with the VW Group
This partnership aims to jointly develop ergonomic solutions for production and results in the first Paexo exoskeletons for industrial applications.
2015 – market launch of the Kenevo
The microprocessor-controlled lower limb prosthesis solution is also available to people with lower mobility grades for the first time.
2018 – Ottobock Industrials
Ottobock establishes a new business area. Its first product, the Paexo Shoulder, makes overhead work easier.
2019 – C-Brace® wins German mobility prize
The knee-ankle-foot orthosis is the first mechatronic orthotic solution in the world that can control the entire gait cycle dynamically and in real time.
Paexo exoskeletons ease vehicle assembly for VW workers
Over-head and over-shoulder work during vehicle assembly are physically very stressful. VW wants to relieve its employees with the exoskeleton Paexo…
Paexo exoskeletons facilitates vehicle assembly for VW workers
Over-head and over-shoulder work during vehicle assembly are physically very stressful. VW wants to relieve its employees with the exoskeleton Paexo…
FAQ’S
The prices for the Paexo exoskeletons vary.
We would be happy to make you an offer. Please contact us via contact form.
The Paexo products permit full freedom of movement thanks to the biomechanical design. Thus you can sit down with the Paexo Shoulder or pick up fallen objects.
No, you still have to perform all movements yourself. The Paexo Shoulder exoskeleton for example merely reduces load peaks by redistributing loads.
About one quarter (23.2%) of days missed because of inability to work in Germany are due to musculoskeletal disorders (data from 2013). This figure increases with age: among people older than 55, it already accounts for more than 35%. Thus the economic cost of musculoskeletal disorders is considerable (loss of gross value added: approx. EUR 20 billion, 2013 data) (see DGUV).
There is a proven, direct relationship between overhead work and musculoskeletal disorders. Physical relief provided by exoskeletons can contribute to reducing work-related health hazards, time away from work and accidents. An exoskeleton can therefore make a major contribution to preventive healthcare for employees.
Paexo Shoulder is worn close to the body, similar to a backpack. It transfers weight from the arms to the hips with the help of its supporting structures. With its intelligent, purely mechanical cable pull technology, the exoskeleton makes it easier to raise the arms and hold them up, thereby reducing uncomfortable load peaks in the shoulder and neck region.
We pay great attention to the sustainability of our products. An essential part of this is that all textiles can be cleaned. Most parts that can be acutely affected by contamination are removable, washable and reusable. The technical parts can be wiped with a damp cloth. For all products there is the possibility to order hygiene sets for the exchange of textiles.
There are currently five Paexo exoskeletons. The Paexo Shoulder, Paexo Thumb, Paexo Neck, Paexo Soft Back and Paexo Wrist.
Paexo Shoulder for overhead work
Paexo Thumb for the thumb joint
Paexo Neck for the neck
Paexo Soft Back to provide lower back support
Paexo Wrist for the wrist
An artificial exoskeleton is a supporting structure worn on the body that relieves strain on the musculoskeletal system during specific activities. A distinction is made between passive and active exoskeletons. A passive exoskeleton does not need an energy supply; its function is purely mechanical. An active exoskeleton is equipped with sensors and motors, which means that it provides more support but depends on an external energy supply.