# Mind, Machine, and Meaning: Cognitive Ergonomics and Adaptive Interfaces in the Age of Industry 5.0
## 3 Ergonomic Techniques in Human-Machine Interactions
### Modern Solutions for Improving Human-Machine Interactions  
#### 3.3.1 Exoskeletons and Assistive Devices  
Exoskeletons are wearable robotic systems designed to augment, assist, or restore humans' physical capabilities. These devices consist of a mechanical structure aligned with the human body's joints and typically integrate actuators, sensors, and controllers. Exoskeletons can be classified based on their purpose: therapeutic recovery, support of daily living tasks, enhancement of human performance, or interaction through haptic feedback. They can also be categorized by anatomical region: upper limb, lower limb, full body, or specific segments such as the hand or trunk [81]. Assistive devices include both active (powered) and passive systems designed to support individuals with reduced mobility or those exposed to physically demanding tasks. In industrial contexts, for example, low-back exoskeletons are employed to reduce lumbar strain and prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders [82]. Technological Components  
Modern exoskeletons rely on advanced sensing and actuation technologies. Common actuation systems include electric motors, pneumatic artificial muscles, and hydraulic cylinders. Sensor systems frequently incorporate inertial measurement units (IMUs), surface electromyography (sEMG), and pressure or force sensors, which enable real-time recognition of the user's movement intentions [81; 83]. sEMG-based intention recognition has become particularly important, allowing for the decoding of muscle activity into motion commands. Recent developments have applied algorithms based on machine learning, including bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) networks, optimized using quantum-behaved particle swarm optimization (QPSO) to predict joint kinematics from sEMG signals with high accuracy [84]. Applications  
* Medical Rehabilitation: Exoskeletons like Lokomat and ReWalk have transformed gait rehabilitation for individuals recovering from strokes, spinal cord injuries, or cerebral palsy. These devices enable repetitive, task-specific training that is often superior in consistency and intensity compared to manual therapy sessions [81]. * Industrial Ergonomics: Industrial exoskeletons, especially those designed for lumbar support, help reduce strain during lifting or overhead tasks. Studies show reductions of up to 30% in muscle activation during assisted lifting tasks. However, user comfort and adaptability remain challenges, necessitating further design personalization [82; 85]. Human Intention Recognition: Human-exoskeleton cooperation relies on accurate motion intention recognition. sEMG is currently the most widely used modality, despite variability among users due to physiology and electrode placement. Deep learning techniques are being developed to improve the generalization and robustness of control models [83; 84; 86]. Illustrative Examples of Exoskeletons Below are representative examples of exoskeletons, which can be expanded with images and mechanical schematics (Table 6, Figure 8). \begin{table}
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