## 3 Methodology for the Integration of Exoskeleton Technology in Manufacturing Workplaces
### Classification of Smart Adaptive Exoskeletons for Their Deployment in Manufacturing  
This section classifies the exoskeletons and the workplace's attributes. With the aim to develop a method supporting the selection of the most suitable device for a specific workplace, a database system for exoskeletons management, further on called _ExoData_, and workplaces management, named _UseCaseData_, was developed. The classified databases attributes are the base of the preassessment  
Figure 2: Overview and statistic from state of exoskeleton maturity on each sector © [1]. procedure, called _ExoScore_, and preselection method, named ExoMatch. The filtering of suitable exoskeletons for specific workplaces operates with the following categories, characterized by _attributes_, which are stated below [5]:  
* General: number, priority, state of experience, etc. ;
* Technical features: active/passive, power support, weight, size, material, storage, etc. ;
* Compatibility: scratching, hygiene, etc. ;
* Legal: conformity, occupational safety, instructions, etc. ;
* Specific pro and cons: cheap, light, robust, etc. ;
* Costs: acquirement, maintenance, service, training, etc. Each of these detailed attributes has to be assessed with a weighted score-system, which will be developed. This category has a specific meaning for the subsequent specific workplace assessment and filtering. The exoskeleton Database (_ExoData_) has been populated with almost 140 commercial and prototype exoskeletons. The next step consists of sorting the _ExoData_ by exoskeleton attributes for specific workplace requirements and identifying the favoured device. In addition, the procedure _ExoScore_ enables the rough assessment of exoskeletons based on their functionalities. Further on, specific attributes were added, advanced with weighted factors (c\({}_{1}\), c\({}_{2}\), c\({}_{i}\)). These factors are defined depending on different planning objectives. Below, Calculation (1) is partially highlighted:  
\[SCORE_{Exo}(c_{1},c_{2},c_{i})=Maturity\cdot c_{1}+Costs\cdot c_{2}+\ldots \tag{1}\]  
The identification of suitable exoskeletons for one specific workplace requires categorized attributes as follows:  
* Project state: number, priority, processing state, etc. ;
* Workplace: description, contact, location, additional tasks, required tools, etc. ;
* Ergonomics: load, weight (time and attitude), etc. ;
* Environment: organization, division, access ways, escape exits, stairs, etc. This section also presents how to find the most suitable of all existing exoskeletons (from _ExoData_) for any workplace, with a method called ExoMatch, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The aim is to replace the previous selection with a transparent method that additionally increases the quality and decreases the working effort. In comparison to ExoScore, ExoMatch filters all available exoskeleton in _ExoData_, depending on the specific workplace conditions. The simple overview of the _ExoMatch_ method is that _UseCaseData_ and _ExoData_ are related to each other. In Figure 3, these dependencies are solved with matching rules. These matching tables are the core of this method and are implemented as workplace conditions, and, based on these, it is possible to formulate exoskeleton requirements. The matching tables (Figure 4), where workplace conditions (_orange_) were translated to exoskeleton requirements (green), are structured in different filter clusters. For individual planning and complex influences, the threshold values (blue) can be adjusted or built on new tables. In Figure 4, two selected conceptual cluster tables are shown. If the ergonomic index for stress in shoulder exceeds the threshold value, there is a need for exoskeletons to support this body structure. Other examples and matching tables formulate requirements for exoskeletons with respect to the production environment. This concept makes it possible to realize general or situation-specific formulations of workplace conditions in which exoskeletons are explicitly not recommended.