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Human Performance: Ford Motor Company
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Introduction
Since the beginning of 2013, Ford Motor Company has taken the lead in the current
technology revolution in manufacturing by adopting EksoVest in its production line (Ford Motor
Company, 2018). This innovation is, therefore, meant to improve worker ergonomics, increase
efficiency, and reduce accidents at the workplace. Implementing exoskeletons is a leap to the
future of technology adoption in the manufacturing industry as it combines improving workers'
health and productivity advancement in line with new technology developments in the
automobile manufacturing lines. This paper discusses the benefits and possible drawbacks of
exoskeleton implementation within automotive manufacturing and estimated future
developments.
The ergonomic impact
Ford’s use of EksoVest exoskeleton has gone a long way in minimizing cases of MSDs
within the assembly line workforce. Due to supporting the arm and shoulder area during
activities such as overhead assembly work and thus reducing the risk of repetitive strain injuries
at the workplace, the EksoVest can be markedly beneficial (Crowe, 2018). Thus, this
improvement in the ergonomics of the workspace increases the wellness of a company's workers
and production. Employment outcomes indicate that employees get a chance to work with less
physical exhaustion during their working hours, which means workers would be able to post high
performance throughout their shifts; owing to the reduced instances in product Quality, workers
might have produced tiredness.
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However, exoskeleton utilization introduces some concerns that need to be addressed
effectively. A temporary decline in performance may be witnessed when the workers first
acquire the new technology for use. The most significant concern, however, is the potential of
the workers to over-replicate on the exoskeleton and, in the process, develop poor physical health
or to neglect proper ergonomics altogether. Thus, it is essential to provide these solutions
through comprehensive training and ergonomic awareness, which are critical aspects for
obtaining the most outstanding value from exoskeleton integration and preserving the health and
productivity of workers (Crowe, 2018).
Future Predictions and Advancements
As for future trends, the automotive industry seems set on developing other applications
and improvements of the exoskeleton to increase people's productivity and reduce physical strain
in the workplace. Subsequent types of wearable exoskeletons will likely incorporate improved
adaptability depending on the worker's job description and requirements. In this regard, this
integration will improve comfort, utility, and overall efficiency in managing ergonomic issues
ranging from simple to complex (Ford Motor Company, 2018).
Furthermore, IoT and AI-based devices will be integrated to make a smarter exoskeleton
that will change its characteristics in response to some environmental conditions and feedback
(Jacob et al., 2021). This integration will help fine-tune support levels, increase task productivity,
and reduce the chances of injuries caused by shift fatigue. In the future, more research will be
done in material science, resulting in lighter and more flexible exoskeletons that will enhance the
mobility and comfort of the user when wearing exoskeletons without affecting their mechanical
properties. Subsequently, economies of scale and technological enhancements are likely to
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reduce the manufacturing cost of exoskeletons and further ease the adoption of exoskeletons in
the various stages of automotive manufacturing.
Conclusion
An excellent example of the application of exoskeleton technology in the automotive
sector is Ford Company, which has effectively expanded its efforts to implement measures to
promote its employees' health during their working practices (Jacob et al., 2021). By
implementing EksoVest and similar solutions, Ford solves pressing ergonomics issues and paves
the way for future industrial progress. These investments in the health and well-being of
employees not only help to create a safer and more productive workplace but also demonstrate
Ford's commitment to environmentally sustainable operations (Ford Motor Company, 2018)
In the future, growth in technological and strategic features indicates the constant
innovation of exoskeleton devices on automotive assembly lines. Future developments will likely
be specific and flexible to accommodate workers' heterogeneity and various occupations.
Consequently, the evolution of the exoskeleton technology from Ford and the global automotive
manufacturing industry outlines a path where human capabilities are enhanced and the design for
work environments is enhanced periodically. As these technologies get more advanced and
widely available, they can significantly transform industrial employment relations by raising new
benchmark levels of safety and productivity and enhancing employees' satisfaction in the years
to come.
References
Crowe, S. (2018). Ford is adding EksoVest exoskeletons to 15 automotive plants. The
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Robot Report. Retrieved July 8, 2024, from https://www.therobotreport.com/ford-
eksovest-exoskeletons-automotive/
Ford Motor Company. (2018). Ford rolls out exoskeleton wearable technology globally to help
lessen worker fatigue injuries. Dearborn, MI: Ford Newsroom. Retrieved July 8, 2024,
from https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2018/08/07/ford-rolls-
out-exoskeleton-wearable-technology-globally-to-help-.html
Jacob, S., Alagirisamy, M., Xi, C., Balasubramanian, V., Srinivasan, R., Parvathi, R., Jhanjhi, N.
Z., & Islam, S. M. N. (2021). AI and IoT-enabled smart exoskeleton system for
rehabilitation of paralyzed people in connected communities. IEEE Access, 9, 73106-
73117. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2021.9439449
