MSA: assessing the value of exoskeletons in agriculture

For the MSA, the French agricultural social security and occupational health insurer, MOTEN measured the real effect of exoskeletons in farming jobs. In the milking parlour, the exoskeleton reduced effort by 23%. In the cheese dairy, one model helped with turning reblochon cheeses, but both models tested slightly increased effort when washing the cheeses.

Exoskeletons: a hope for agriculture?

Musculoskeletal disorders account for 93% of occupational diseases reported among agricultural workers covered by the MSA. They are the leading cause of unfitness for work and eventually affect the personal lives of the employees concerned.

In theory, work should be adapted to people so they can work in the best possible conditions. In practice, farming jobs often cannot be adapted: the height of milking parlours is fixed, and vines cannot be planted at a comfortable picking height.

Faced with these challenges, exoskeletons appear to be an innovative way to relieve the physical load on agricultural workers. The MSA decided to assess these devices in order to recommend the models best suited to the sector's different jobs.

MOTEN: key expertise for assessing exoskeletons

MOTEN Technologies deploys sensors that measure effort, postures and vibrations to protect employees from occupational wear and tear. Our expertise allows us to assess the real impact of exoskeletons on working conditions.

With our sensors, we compare an employee's activity before and after using an exoskeleton. This approach provides precise data on:

• how effectively exoskeletons reduce effort;
• how different models compare for the same workstation;
• why users sometimes struggle to adopt them;
• possible side effects of prolonged use.

As part of its projects with the MSA, MOTEN Technologies assessed the effects of several exoskeletons in a variety of settings: milking parlours, cheese dairies and vineyard work.

Assisting milking with an upper-limb exoskeleton

Many farmers had already bought exoskeletons without waiting for approval from MSA Marne Ardennes Meuse (MAM). To support these initiatives, MAM called on MOTEN Technologies.

Objectives

• Measure the real, quantitative benefits of the exoskeleton for milking.
• Check whether farmers' perceptions match the objective data.

Approach

One of our experts followed a farmer during two rotary milking sessions: one without an exoskeleton and one with an “arms raised” model (IP12). Eight sensors were placed on the most heavily used areas: shoulders, arms, neck and lower back.

Results

• A 23% reduction in effort thanks to the exoskeleton.
• Assistance across all tasks, from attaching the milking clusters to cleaning.

Selecting the best exoskeleton for cheese dairies

Traditional cheese-making jobs struggle to recruit. Companies are therefore turning to exoskeletons to keep their staff in post for as long as possible when no other solution is available. In this context, MSA Alpes du Nord called on MOTEN.

Objectives

• Compare the impact of the HAPO SD and HAPO Back models.
• Identify possible biomechanical risks linked to their use.

Approach

Two employees were equipped with seven sensors on the shoulders, abdominals, thighs and lower back. Measurements were taken during the task of turning reblochon cheeses, and during another task requested by the employees: washing the cheeses.

Results

• The HAPO provides more useful assistance than the HAPO SD for the specific task of turning reblochons.
• Both exoskeletons tested slightly increase employees' effort when washing the cheeses.

The HAPO was kept to assist with turning the reblochons. Other technical solutions were proposed for washing the cheeses, including work on the height at which cheeses are picked up and on the racks they are placed on.

Conclusion

Exoskeletons are an opportunity to reduce the physical strain of agricultural work, provided their design meets the specific requirements of each task. The assessment carried out by the MSA and MOTEN Technologies shows that this equipment must be adapted to its context of use and introduced with care.

MOTEN Technologies' expertise ensures that these devices bring real added value without creating new constraints. Supporting farmers and training users are key to successful adoption.