German Bionic
German Bionic, a global leader in active exoskeleton technology, has announced the launch of the new Apogee+ power suit, specifically designed for the healthcare sector. With 'significant advancements' in strength and intelligence, Apogee+ offers human augmentation to healthcare professionals, helping reduce fatigue and injury risks while boosting operational efficiency in hospitals and care homes.
Developed in collaboration with leading healthcare institutions, including Berlin's Charité Hospital, one of the locations where it is already in use, the latest Apogee+ offers 20% more lifting strength. Its enhanced weight compensation improves mobility, enabling smoother movements during tasks such as patient transfers from beds and wheelchairs, assisting with washing and dressing, and supporting procedures such as changing wound dressings or even during surgery when awkward, ergonomically challenging bent-over postures need to be maintained over extended periods.
Seen in action here, the suit also incorporates intelligent features that prioritise safety and efficiency, bridging the gap between human capability and technology according to the company.
German Bionic says that the advanced Apogee+ introduces numerous advantages for healthcare facilities, particularly in terms of workplace safety, efficiency, and overall well-being, such as:
· Less Fatigue and Injury, Greater Efficiency: The Apogee+ minimises fatigue by significantly lowering potential lower-back muscle strain, allowing healthcare workers to stay focused, deliver better patient care, and experience higher job satisfaction.
· Reduced Sick Leave: Previous deployments of German Bionics exoskeletons in other industries have seen a 31% reduction in sick leave, from 5.5% to 3.8%. Similar outcomes are expected in healthcare, reducing physical strain on staff.
· Improved Patient Handling: With enhanced lifting and moving capabilities, healthcare workers can transfer patients with greater ease, reducing the risk of injury to both staff and patients during movements such as bed or wheelchair transfers.
· Career Longevity: By reducing physical strain and supporting musculoskeletal health, the Apogee+ extends the careers of healthcare professionals, helping them endure the demands of long shifts and physically intensive tasks.
· Appealing Job Role: Utilising technologies like the Apogee+ makes roles more appealing, of better interest to prospective applicants and can lead to greater staff retention.
The Apogee+ now offers up to 80 lbs. (36 kg) of dynamic lifting support per lift, making it ideal for healthcare settings where staff must frequently lift patients or maintain prolonged bending postures during exams or surgeries. With this assistance, what would normally feel like 60lbs. is reduced to the equivalent of lifting just 8 to 10 lbs.
With its AI-driven dynamic and static support functions, the device is designed to reduces strain on the lumbar spine, which decreases the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) – a leading cause of absenteeism in the healthcare industry. Furthermore, the integrated active walking support has also been optimised, allowing staff to move comfortably across long distances—making 10 miles feel like just 8.
The lightweight Apogee+ is easy to use and features quick donning and doffing capabilities to allow for maximum flexibility during shifts, and its long-lasting battery (3-4 hours) with hot-swappable options ensures even extended work periods are possible without interruption.
The Apogee+ uses advanced machine learning to deliver tailored support based on each healthcare worker’s schedule and task intensity. It continuously adjusts to individual fatigue levels, posture, and movements, optimising energy use and reducing strain to enhance endurance and performance.
Connected via Wi-Fi and LTE, the Apogee+ integrates with the German Bionic IO platform, offering real-time data collection and analysis through a dashboard that helps managers monitor usage and optimise operations. These insights power the Smart Safety Companion, which provides health alerts, posture corrections, and warnings against excessive loads.
To boost user engagement, the new, personal German Bionic Connect app tracks steps, lifts, and usage, presenting trends in fun, relatable ways, such as comparing lifted weights to cars or elephants, with German Bionic saying the gamification encourages continuous improvement.
“Our improved Apogee+ exoskeleton brings together strength and intelligence in ways that directly benefit healthcare professionals,” said Armin G. Schmidt, CEO of German Bionic. “As the healthcare sector faces growing challenges with staff shortages and physical demands, the Apogee+ is a timely solution that improves worker safety, operational efficiency, and overall well-being. We are excited to support those on the frontlines of healthcare with technology that truly makes a difference.”
German Bionic
