StrongArm Technologies INC.
Ergonomics
StrongArm Technologies, Inc. is an innovative company headquartered in New York City, specializing in the development and manufacturing of wearable ergonomic technology solutions. With a focus on industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and construction, StrongArm aims to enhance worker safety and reduce the risk of injuries. Their flagship product, the ErgoSkeleton™, is a lightweight exoskeleton that provides support to the back. Complementing their hardware offerings, StrongArm also provides data-driven software solutions through their FUSE platform, which enables real-time insights into ergonomics and safety, allowing companies to proactively identify risks and implement corrective measures. Through their innovative approach, StrongArm Technologies seeks to revolutionize workplace safety and optimize productivity in physically demanding environments.
In 2010, Justin Hillery and Sean Petterson crossed paths at the Rochester Institute of Technology, both driven by their fathers' experiences as manual laborers. Determined to change the industry's perception of workers like their fathers, they established StrongArm Technology. Their goal was to treat manual laborers as Industrial Athletes and integrate design and technology into their work.
Focusing on enhancing workplace safety, Justin and Sean worked tirelessly with designers, ergonomics experts, biomechanical engineers, and industrial athletes. They set out to reinvent the traditional back brace, which OSHA had deemed ineffective and potentially harmful to the lower back. After three years of development, StrongArm introduced a series of back braces that not only adhered to OSHA's guidelines for proper form but also transformed the workforce's habits.
This breakthrough caught the attention of 3M Ventures, who recognized the value of StrongArm's products and became their investor and distributor. With this support, StrongArm's solutions gained wider reach and impact in the market.
StrongArm went through 3 phases of solutions
Phase 1 (2010-2012)
It all began with the ErgoSkeletons. These revolutionary devices were ergonomic exoskeletons specifically developed to supplant the conventional back belt, which had been deemed ineffective and known to cause lower back atrophy according to OSHA's findings.
Ergoskeleton V22 transformed the biomechanics of lifting tasks by relieving the load from the hands and dynamically redistributing it across the core to provide optimal support to the spine during lifting activities. Additionally, the Ergoskeleton V22 encouraged users to engage their leg muscles while lifting, promoting proper lifting techniques and minimizing the strain on the back.
Phase 2 (2012-2014)
The Ergoskeleton FLX was a response to user feedback on the V22. It was a light, agile, and dynamic brace that acted as a coach or trainer, reminding users of proper lifting form. The FLX utilized haptic feedback to alert users when they were in a dangerous position, such as bending the spine into flexion. Additionally, it encouraged users to pivot with their feet instead of twisting their backs, reducing the risk of a ruptured disk.
Phase 3 (2012-2016)
The exoskeletons developed by the company proved effective in reducing fatigue and promoting proper posture among users. However, convincing companies about their macro-level benefits and influencing insurance claims required extensive long-term case studies. As a small start-up with limited time and resources, conducting large-scale tests was challenging.
To address this issue, the company devised a sensor platform that embedded sensors into their exoskeleton devices. This enabled them to measure the real-time effectiveness of their products and provide evidence of their compliance with OSHA standards. Surprisingly, the sensor platform and its data became more valuable to upper management than the physical exoskeleton interventions themselves.
Building upon this success, StrongArm went on to develop the FUSE Risk Management Platform. This innovation attracted significant attention and funding, raising $50 million for the company. As a result, the FUSE Risk Management Platform was successfully deployed in major big-box organizations worldwide, solidifying StrongArm's position as a leader in the industry.
Automated Ergonomic Injury Reduction Program
The original end-to-end workforce optimization and risk management solution.