Evaluating temperature effects on exoskeleton efficacy in drilling operations: a preliminary study

Exoskeletons are increasingly used to reduce musculoskeletal strain in occupational settings, but environmental temperature may influence their effectiveness by affecting muscle activation and perceived exertion. This preliminary study assessed the impact of temperature on muscle activation and perceived exertion during upper-arm and lower-arm exoskeleton-assisted drilling. Ten participants performed a simulated drilling task under room-temperature (22.3 °C) and hot (33.3 °C) conditions. Muscle activation and perceived exertion were recorded using electromyography and Borg CR-10 scale, respectively. Results showed that temperature significantly influenced muscle activation patterns: the extensor carpi radialis exhibited ∼31% higher activation at room temperature with lower-arm exoskeleton, while the left anterior deltoid showed 9.32% greater activation under hot conditions with upper-arm exoskeleton, and perceived exertion was higher in the hot condition. The findings suggest that the thermal environment influences neuromuscular responses and perceived physical strain during exoskeleton use, underscoring the need to consider temperature in exoskeleton design and implementation.