This paper puts forward a real-time angular tracking (MOTION capture) system for a low cost UPPER LIMB exosuit based on sensor fusion; which is integrated by an elastic sleeve-mitten, two inertial measurement units (IMU), two flex sensors and a wireless communication system. The device can accurately detect the angular position of the shoulder (flexion-extension, abduction-adduction and internal-external rotation), elbow (flexion-extension and forearm supination-pronation), and wrist (flexion-extension) joints. In addition, the state of the hand (opened-closed). Finaly a PID controller is applied to the exosuit in order to replicate the movements performed by the arm into a 6 DOF robot arm.

Background: Asymmetry in repeated MOTION may lead to dyskinesia through imbalance in the involved musculoskeletal structures. The dominance sides are also involved greater movement involvement over the nondominant sides. The UPPER LIMBs with multiple joints and largest range of MOTION are prone for unsynchronized coordination. Natural movement analysis is required for application to everyday activities. Methods: Thirty participants were first recruited from Inha University, Incheon, Korea in 2019. Twenty subjects were assessed for comparisons of asymmetrical MOTION between the dominant and non-dominant arms during the abduction and adduction lateral raises after excluding ten subjects for shoulder pain and lefthandedness. Results: The abduction and adduction MOTIONs of the bilateral arms were compared for the angular locations, velocity, and acceleration for every 10 degrees. The angular locations of the dominant side occurred significant earlier in the initial (10° , 20° , 30° ) phase and later in the last (10° , 20° ) phase of abduction and adduction in comparison to the non-dominant side (P<. 05). The angular accelerations of the dominant side were also significantly greater during the initial phase (0° , 10° , 30° ) and last phase (0° , 10° , 30° ) (P <. 05). The angular velocities were significantly greater during the later phase (40, 50, 60° ) of abduction (P <. 04). Conclusion: Comparative dominant side indicated more controlled movements through the range of MOTION with greater stability in angular acceleration and deceleration especially during the initial and last phase of abduction and adduction, respectively. Training for control of the specific angular points should be considered during abduction and adduction MOTIONs to prevent asymmetry of the bilateral arms.

Background: In the last 15 or 20 years, UPPER extremity musculoskeletal disorders have been recognized as a cause of major medical problems among industrial workers.Objectives: The aim of this study was conducted to assess risk factors for UPPER LIMB musculoskeletal disorders on workers performing various tasks in a textile factory. Ergonomic interventions and solutions may be developed on the basis of the assessment results.Patients and Methods: Rapid UPPER LIMB Assessment (RULA) was used to evaluate UPPER LIMB musculoskeletal loads, and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to measure the prevalence of UPPER LIMB disorders in workers at the Qaem Shahr textile factory. A target population sample included 566 subjects (404 males [71.4%] aged 23–51 years, mean age 32.9 [SD=6.3 years], 161 females [28.6%] aged 21–37 years, mean age 25.6 [SD=8.6 years]).Results: Prevalence data on disorders to the UPPER arms, lower arms, wrists, neck, trunk, and legs were obtained in 497 (87.8%), 255 (45.1%), 318 (56.2%), 383 (67.7%), 436 (77%), and 163 (28.8%) workers, respectively. Recommended action as a result of the assessment varied according to prevalence and severity of the disorders. Tasks involving spinning, direct wrapping, pirn wrapping, Gard machine operating, yarn combing, weaving, and fold counting were revealed to be the most hazardous. The results of the NMQ confirmed the results of the RULA.Conclusions: Preventive measures at the structural, organizational, and personnel levels must be taken for the safety of industrial workers performing tasks categorized as action levels 2-4 in this study. RULA is a useful and practical tool for evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders resulting from working in a textile factory.