ASTM F3518-21

Standard Guide for Quantitative Measures for Establishing Exoskeleton Functional Ergonomic Parameters and Test Metrics

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide provides a set of recommended quantitative measures which can be used to assess the task or human readiness, or both, of exoskeletons. All of the quantitative measures are used in ergonomic research to assist in objectively concluding the efficacy of an assessed metric.  
4.2 Not every element of this guide may be applicable to all exoskeleton components or configurations. Nor are all the quantitative measures herein exhaustive. Selection of quantitative measures should be done based on the uncertainties surrounding the end use application of the exoskeleton. It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to determine which portions of this guide, and the corresponding measures, are applicable to their exoskeletons.  
4.3 The ability to reproduce analysis between exoskeleton usage vs. non-exoskeleton usage is critical criteria in using a quantitative measures approach. A control method for reproducibility in a quantitative measures approach is a repeated measures design. A repeated measures design involves multiple measures of the same variable taken on the same end user, either under different conditions or over two or more time periods. The salient aspect of a repeated measures design is using the end user as the control.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides quantitative measures for assessing one or more specific ergonomic parameters with respect to exoskeletons. Furthermore, this guide should be used in conjunction with Practice F3474, Guide F3519, and Standard Guide for The Application of Ergonomics to Prevent Injury During Exoskeleton Use2.  
1.2 This guide provides quantitative measures for the design, use, and construction of exoskeletons within the domains of industry, military, medical, first responders, and recreational.  
1.2.1 Quantitative measures are a type of data that can be put into a numerical value. This type of measure allows statistical analysis to be performed on the data to yield an objective result.  
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2021
• ICS: 11.180.10 - Aids and adaptation for moving
• Technical Committee: F48 - Exoskeletons and Exosuits
• Drafting Committee: F48.02 - Human Factors and Ergonomics

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3518 − 21
Standard Guide for
Quantitative Measures for Establishing Exoskeleton
1
Functional Ergonomic Parameters and Test Metrics
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3518; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope F3474 Practice for Establishing Exoskeleton Functional Er-
gonomic Parameters and Test Metrics
1.1 This guide provides quantitative measures for assessing
F3519 Guide for Establishing a Reporting Structure for
one or more specific ergonomic parameters with respect to
Exoskeleton Analysis
exoskeletons. Furthermore, this guide should be used in
conjunction with Practice F3474, Guide F3519, and Standard
3. Terminology
Guide for The Application of Ergonomics to Prevent Injury
2
During Exoskeleton Use . 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 dynamometer, n—instrument that measures the force
1.2 This guide provides quantitative measures for the
output of grip strength.
design, use, and construction of exoskeletons within the
domains of industry, military, medical, first responders, and 3.1.2 electromyography, n—recording of the electrical ac-
tivity of muscle tissue using electrodes to the skin or inserted
recreational.
into the muscle belly.
1.2.1 Quantitative measures are a type of data that can be
put into a numerical value. This type of measure allows
3.1.3 heart rate, n—speed with which the heart beats,
statistical analysis to be performed on the data to yield an
measured in the number of contractions of the heart over the
objective result.
course of a minute.
1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
3.1.4 heart rate variability, n—variationofthetimebetween
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
each heartbeat, specifically, the variation of the “R” to “R”
this standard.
intervals of the heartbeat QRS component.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.5 kinematics, n—branch of mechanics concerned with
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the motion of objects without reference to the forces that cause
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the motion.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.6 motion capture, n—process or technique of recording
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
patterns of movement digitally.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.7 non-invasive, adj—not requiring the introduction of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
instruments into the body.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.1.8 oscilloscope, n—device for viewing oscillations, as of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
electrical voltage or current, by a display on the screen of a
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
cathode ray tube.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Significance and Use
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 This guide provides a set of recommended quantitative
measures which can be used to assess the task or human
readiness, or both, of exoskeletons. All of the quantitative
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F48 on Exoskeletons
measures are used in ergonomic research to assist in objec-
and Exosuits and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F48.02 on Human
Factors and Ergonomics.
tively concluding the efficacy of an assessed metric.
Current edition approved June 15, 2021. Published July 2021. DOI: 10.1520/
4.2 Not every element of this guide may be applicable to all
F3518-21.
2
Unpublished ASTM standard under development.
exoskeleton components or configurations. Nor are all the
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
quantitative measures herein exhaustive. Selection of quanti-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
tative measures should be done based on the uncertainties
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. surroundingtheenduseapplicationoftheexoskeleton.Itisthe
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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F3518 − 21
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