A new technological solution promises relief for millions of workers who perform physically demanding tasks every day. A team of Dutch innovators and scientists from the University of Twente has introduced a so-called 'smart brace' that actively supports the lower back during work.
The smart brace was developed by UT researchers Malte Asseln and Daan Legters. "The need for innovation is urgent. In Europe, an estimated 7.5 million nurses and caregivers face heavy physical strain, with nearly half suffering from lower back pain. At the same time, there is an expected shortage of one million nurses by 2030, while the annual costs of physical health problems run into hundreds of billions of euros. We wanted to develop a solution to address this."
A large and often overlooked problem
On average, a healthcare worker performs more than 1,000 physically straining movements per shift, a structural issue that, according to the developers, has remained underrecognized for far too long.
Smart support at the right moment
The new brace provides real-time support exactly when physical strain occurs. âThe system functions like an âextra layer of musclesâ,â says Asseln, initiator of the research. âIt activates during lifting and bending movements, and relaxes once the user returns to a neutral posture. The design is lightweight, compact, and fully compatible with existing workflows, ensuring it does not interfere with daily tasks.â
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