Welcome to Solutions Cast: Industry Insights. I'm Brian Sloboda, Director of Utility Research and Policy at CFC.
Exoskeletons may sound like something straight out of a superhero movie, but they could have a very real role for utility lineworkers in the future.
Now, before anyone gets too excited, we're not talking about lineworkers flying from pole to pole. Think less Iron Man and more wearable support. Exoskeletons are devices designed to help workers go home at the end of the day with less pain and fewer injuries.
A recent study from the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Lab examined how active exoskeletons could be used in utility work. The interest is easy to understand: lineworkers routinely lift equipment, pull conductor, climb poles, and perform overhead work, placing significant strain on their shoulders, backs, necks, and knees.
The study cites research showing that 70% of lineworkers reported significant pain, including shoulder, spine, and knee issues. That's not surprising given the physical demands of the job.
The idea behind an exoskeleton is straightforward. Whether powered by motors or using springs and counterweights, these wearable devices help reduce fatigue, support lifting, and make repetitive tasks less taxing on the body.
While utility-specific exoskeletons are still emerging, the technology is already being tested elsewhere. Researchers at Harvard have developed soft robotic exosuits that provide shoulder support during overhead work without the bulk of a rigid frame. The U.S. military has been one of the biggest investors in exoskeleton research over the past two decades.
The utility industry presents unique challenges. Any exoskeleton must work with fall protection gear, remain comfortable during long shifts, and deliver enough safety and productivity benefits to justify the cost.
Still, as utilities face workforce shortages, an aging workforce, and increasing safety expectations, exoskeletons could eventually become another tool in the truck. Not because they make workers superhuman, but because they help protect the skilled people who keep the lights on.
For co-op CEOs, the advice is simple: keep an eye on the technology, talk with your crews, and look for opportunities to participate in pilot programs. The utilities that learn about these tools early will be best positioned to evaluate their benefits.
And let's be clear about the goal. It's not creating a lineworker who can pick up a transformer and toss it onto a pole like they're competing in a World's Strongest Man contest. The goal is helping someone spend a career climbing poles, restoring power, and serving members, then retire with a body that still works. If this technology helps a retiree pick up a grandchild, throw a baseball, or work in the garden without pain, that's the real success story.
That's all for today. As always, thank you for joining us. Be on the lookout for more industry and technology content at nrucfc.coop/solutions. We'll talk with you soon.
Exoskeletons may sound like something straight out of a superhero movie, but they could have a very real role for utility lineworkers in the future.
Now, before anyone gets too excited, we're not talking about lineworkers flying from pole to pole. Think less Iron Man and more wearable support. Exoskeletons are devices designed to help workers go home at the end of the day with less pain and fewer injuries.
A recent study from the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Lab examined how active exoskeletons could be used in utility work. The interest is easy to understand: lineworkers routinely lift equipment, pull conductor, climb poles, and perform overhead work, placing significant strain on their shoulders, backs, necks, and knees.
The study cites research showing that 70% of lineworkers reported significant pain, including shoulder, spine, and knee issues. That's not surprising given the physical demands of the job.
The idea behind an exoskeleton is straightforward. Whether powered by motors or using springs and counterweights, these wearable devices help reduce fatigue, support lifting, and make repetitive tasks less taxing on the body.
While utility-specific exoskeletons are still emerging, the technology is already being tested elsewhere. Researchers at Harvard have developed soft robotic exosuits that provide shoulder support during overhead work without the bulk of a rigid frame. The U.S. military has been one of the biggest investors in exoskeleton research over the past two decades.
The utility industry presents unique challenges. Any exoskeleton must work with fall protection gear, remain comfortable during long shifts, and deliver enough safety and productivity benefits to justify the cost.
Still, as utilities face workforce shortages, an aging workforce, and increasing safety expectations, exoskeletons could eventually become another tool in the truck. Not because they make workers superhuman, but because they help protect the skilled people who keep the lights on.
For co-op CEOs, the advice is simple: keep an eye on the technology, talk with your crews, and look for opportunities to participate in pilot programs. The utilities that learn about these tools early will be best positioned to evaluate their benefits.
And let's be clear about the goal. It's not creating a lineworker who can pick up a transformer and toss it onto a pole like they're competing in a World's Strongest Man contest. The goal is helping someone spend a career climbing poles, restoring power, and serving members, then retire with a body that still works. If this technology helps a retiree pick up a grandchild, throw a baseball, or work in the garden without pain, that's the real success story.
That's all for today. As always, thank you for joining us. Be on the lookout for more industry and technology content at nrucfc.coop/solutions. We'll talk with you soon.
