Exoskeletons in the trades
Working healthier and more productively – how exoskeletons are changing everyday work in the trades
A working day in a skilled trade rarely starts calmly and often ends with physical exhaustion: a roofer lifts tiles overhead onto a steep roof, an electrician holds cable trays in an elevated position for hours, while a painter paints entire ceiling surfaces overhead, and a mechanic works under a vehicle in a confined space without being able to straighten up. Every movement is precise, physically demanding, and consistently stressful over many hours.
Back pain after long working days, tension from overhead work, or heavy legs after standing for hours – for many skilled trade workers, this is part of everyday life. Physically demanding tasks are unavoidable in numerous trades and often lead to long-term health problems.
In contrast to industrial series production, the skilled worker often accompanies the entire process of a project – from preparation and assembly to completion. The various work steps are very rarely optimized to alleviate physical strain.
According to the DAK-Gesundheit Health Report 2024, musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common causes of inability to work in Germany. In 2023, they accounted for around 18.5% of all days of inability to work.
For skilled trade businesses, the goal is not only to avoid downtime and productivity losses but also to keep experienced skilled workers healthy and fit for work in the long term.
So that in the evening the work is done, not you.
With the Chairless Chair you can flexibly switch between sitting, walking and standing. Through active sitting, the Chairless Chair relieves the strain on your spine, intervertebral discs and knees. The back and thigh muscles are activated and strengthened.
Often, minor complaints are ignored and lead to long-term health problems due to delayed reactions. Prevent them now and take care of your health – your back will thank you!
Whether you are removing iron, rasping, burning or nailing: with the Chairless Chair you will always find the right position and relieve the strain on your back.
Exoskeletons in Craftsmanship: What Matters in Practice
Not every exoskeleton is equally suited to the demands of the skilled trades. Work environments on construction sites, in workshops, or during assembly operations require solutions that can be flexibly integrated into daily work.
noonee's exoskeleton solutions were developed for this reality: for the mobile, dynamic, and changing work routines in the trades. They provide targeted support where physical strain occurs – without altering workflows or restricting natural movements.
Benefits of Exoskeletons in Trades at a Glance
Exoskeletons absorb part of the load and distribute forces specifically to more stable body areas. This reduces muscle activity while maintaining natural freedom of movement. Exoskeletons are used wherever physical strain occurs regularly and where workers work for extended periods in one-sided or strenuous postures.
Depending on their design, exoskeletons provide:
- Reduced strain on the back, neck, and shoulders
- Support for overhead, standing, and constrained postures
- Less muscle fatigue during repetitive tasks
- More physical stamina throughout the workday
- More ergonomic workflows without restricting freedom of movement
- More comfort during physically demanding work
Thus, exoskeletons make an important contribution to long-term health and performance within the team, while also creating the foundation for efficient and sustainable work processes.
Ergonomics as a Competitive Advantage for Craft Businesses
In the trades, it's not just the relationship between employer and employee that counts – many businesses function like well-oiled machines, where people stand together on the construction site every day, pitch in, and implement projects. Anyone who works here not only knows their own tasks but also the physical strains their colleagues experience.
Ergonomic working conditions thus become a decisive factor in the competition for skilled workers. Businesses that invest in health create better working conditions, increase their attractiveness as employers, and secure their long-term productivity.
The use of exoskeletons can contribute to this:
- minimizing downtime and maintaining stable workflows
- keeping experienced skilled workers healthy and operational in the long term
- strengthening attractiveness as an employer for existing and future employees
Ergonomics thus becomes not only a health issue but a real success factor for functional teams in the trades.
Experience exoskeletons live in the trades
Every trade has different requirements in terms of ergonomics, freedom of movement, and physical resilience. That's why it's important to test the right solution directly in your own work environment.
Would you like to find out how exoskeletons can reduce physical strain in your company? We would be happy to show you the possibilities in a personal consultation and help you choose the right solution for your needs.
Test an exoskeleton from noonee and experience for yourself how ergonomic support can noticeably relieve the daily work routine in trade.