When you watch films with extreme examples of robot suits that turn ordinary people into superheroes, you might imagine that an exoskeleton will make you much stronger than you otherwise are. Unfortunately, this is not the case. It is only special effects that allow you to fly, break through walls and withstand enormous stresses.

In reality, the effect of passive exoskeletons is much more modest. Instead of imagining that you will become stronger by using an exoskeleton, it may be wise to understand that it is mainly your endurance that increases, not your strength. This means that you will not be able to lift 300 kg with an exoskeleton on your body unless you could do so before, but you will be able to perform the job you usually do for longer than before before you get tired.

An example is a fitter or electrician who can screw 5-6 screws at a time into the ceiling above his head without an exoskeleton before he has to take a break. With a shoulder exoskeleton, he will be able to screw in perhaps 15 screws in a row between breaks, but he will not be able to lift the roof off the house.

The positive effect of passive exoskeletons is a reduction in strain and fatigue, not an increase in strength. The various exoskeletons from Auxivo can reduce strain on different parts of the body by between 25% and 65%, so they are definitely useful, but they do not turn you into Superman, Iron Man or Batman. They simply make you a better version of yourself, with more energy for both work and leisure.