New Specification for Exoskeleton Structural Safety
1. Scope
This specification establishes the minimum requirements for the structural integrity, mechanical safety, and load-bearing capacity of exoskeleton systems. It defines the comprehensive criteria for design analysis, verification testing, and factors of safety (FoS) necessary to ensure these wearable devices can withstand the rigorous static, dynamic, and environmental loads anticipated during their service life without catastrophic failure, excessive elastic deformation, or hazardous plastic yield.
Keywords
Cerfiticaiton; Mechanical Testing
Rationale
The new Exoskeleton Structural Integrity Specification (F-WK-EXO-STRUCT) is critically needed because the rapid proliferation of exoskeletons in industrial, military, and medical sectors has outpaced the development of specific standards, leaving a gap that general robotics and personal care robot standards fail to fill, particularly regarding the unique, severe "human-in-the-loop" risks like user injury, loss of function in critical missions, and explosive release of stored energy from structural failure. The standard is designed to be used as a standardized framework for verifying structural integrity and a prerequisite for all performance testing, ultimately supporting compliance with major global regulations like the EU Machinery Regulation and US OSHA requirements. Its primary users are Manufacturers, who will design to clear, quantifiable safety and durability targets; Test Laboratories, which will execute repeatable verification tests; and Procurement Agencies and Employers, who will use it to objectively compare models and ensure deployed devices meet minimum safety thresholds.
The title and scope are in draft form and are under development within this ASTM Committee.
Work Item Status
Date Initiated: 01-14-2026
Technical Contact: Matthew Dickinson
Item: 000
Ballot:
Status: