Fruit Logistica 2024: German Bionic presents its Apogee e-exoskeleton and is nominated for the inaugural FLIA Technology Award

Updated: Nov 15

The Apogee exosuits take tons off the backs of workers each day when moving and carrying fruit and vegetable crates. Providing extra power, full connectivity and much more, the German Bionic robotic e-exoskeletons set a new standard for assisted handling of heavy items. Discover them in Hall 21, C-50.

Finalist in the FLIA Technology Award, the German Bionic Apogee e-exoskeleton recognized as a breakthrough solution for fruit logistics.

Berlin, January 25, 2024 – Leading robotics and wearable tech specialist German Bionic presents its Apogee e-exoskeleton at FRUIT LOGISTICA in Berlin from February 7-9, 2024. The world’s most important trade fair for the global fresh produce industry covers the entire value chain of the fruit and vegetable sector – presenting many use cases for robotic exoskeletons when it comes to handling heavy boxes and crates of produce. The smart Apogee exosuit assists workers with each lifting movement by providing additional power – fully connected, ergonomic, safe. In doing so, it has created a new standard worldwide, being recognized with numerous awards. Now, the German Bionic Apogee e-exoskeleton has also received a nomination for the inaugural Fruit Logistica Innovation Award Technology (FLIA Technology), with which the trade fair honors outstanding innovations in the fields of Machinery & Technology.

The Apogee robotic e-exoskeleton combines human intelligence with machine power to improve the health, safety, and well-being of people working in physically demanding jobs. The smart power suits assist in lifting and carrying, with up to 66 lbs (30 kg) of support per lift, during tasks requiring static holds, and also provides active walking assistance. In addition, the devices enable data-based analyses of work processes, thereby enabling new occupational safety measures potentials to be identified and implemented by companies for further improvements in the workplace.

Hybrid automation through human augmentation

German Bionic will showcase how its fully connected, smart wearable tools can contribute to healthier, more sustainable workplaces and improve company performance at the trade fair in Berlin.

“With the Apogee, German Bionic has set a new global standard for e-exoskeletons. The power suits are a real revolution for occupational safety in physically demanding workplaces. They help take the strain out of manual work such as handling fruit and vegetable boxes and crates, making these jobs safer, less strenuous, and therefore more sustainable and appealing – both for existing employees and for attracting new talents from the labor market – all while simultaneously increasing productivity,”

says Armin G. Schmidt, CEO of German Bionic.

Use cases: Crates of fruit and vegetables, sacks of potatoes, and much more – all made significantly lighter

Many applications exist in the area of fruit, vegetable, and fresh produce logistics and warehousing for robotic e-exoskeletons. Be it the handling of heavy fruit and vegetable boxes, sacks of potatoes or other items, these tasks are routinely physically demanding. Thousands of boxes and sacks weighing 40 lbs (18 kg) and often more need to be moved in fresh produce warehouses around the world every day: lifting, carrying, transferring – from one pallet to another.

Robotic e-exoskeletons provide extra power and safety

By providing additional robotic power for two body regions when lifting, walking and carrying, the active exoskeletons from German Bionic ensure compensation of up to 66 lbs (30 kg) of weight per lifting movement. In this way, fatigue is reduced, fewer errors are made, processes can be improved, and the number of accidents caused by excessive strain can be cut considerably. The implementation of this technology also makes a significant and quantifiable contribution to the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

It takes just 20 seconds to strap on the compact, lightweight power suits like a rucksack at the beginning of the workday. Then, simply click on the power button and the device provides additional strength and screen displays information on the amount of weight compensation, steps taken and more.

Fully connected: Data insight platforms for ergonomics, safety, and optimization

Through the connection of the devices with the German Bionic IO cloud-based data platform, occupational safety is not only made measurable, but also visible. The integrated ‘Smart Safety Companion’ AI-based ergonomics early warning system identifies ergonomic risks within work processes, provides individual recommendations, and highlights optimization potential. As such, the ability to make quick and precise calculations using real-time data is also facilitated.

Overview of benefits:

Hybrid automation: Integration of manual workplaces into digital processes
Smart augmentation: Relieves up to 80 lbs (36 kg) per lift
Use cases: Activities such as lifting and carrying, loading and unloading or constant work in a bent-over posture
Real-time data: Networking with data insight platforms for analysis and monitoring
AI-based: Learns with every use
Motivation via display: Gamification and recommendations for ergonomic measures
Prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)
Maximum safety thanks to unique closed housing design
Protection against accidents at work
Completely dust and waterproof, disinfectable
Tested in real everyday work

German Bionic Apogee shortlisted for the FLIA Technology

This year, a new award will join the renowned FLIA at Fruit Logistica: The inaugural Fruit Logistica Innovation Award Technology (FLIA Technology), will be awarded for the first time, recognizing innovations in the field of Machinery & Technology. The German Bionic Apogee e-exoskeleton is among the finalists.

The winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony, which will take place at the event on Friday, February 9, 2024, at 2:30 pm.

FLIA and FLIA Technology count among the most important global awards in the fruit and vegetable logistics industry, jointly presented by Messe Berlin and Fruitnet Media International, the official partner of FRUIT LOGISTICA.

ABOUT FRUIT LOGISTICA:

FRUIT LOGISTICA is the leading trade show for the global fresh produce business and and represents the entire value-added chain of the fruit and vegetable sector, from producer to the point of sale. At FRUIT LOGISTICA 2023 more than 2,600 exhibitors from 92 countries displayed their products, services, and technical solutions. Some 63,500 buyers and trade visitors from 140 countries took part in the event.

updt: some photos from our instagram #fruitlogistica #HumanAugmentation #workplacesafety

We have attended Fruit Logistica in Berlin, with countless demos showing how our Apogee e-exoskeleton is lightening the load in the handling boxes and crates of fruit & veg as well as other tasks in fresh produce logistics.

Also among the visitors dropping by and trying it for themselves was State Secretary of the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Hartmut Höppner.