Standardization News

Organizational Meeting on Human Exoskeleton Standards

ASTM International will host an organizational meeting to potentially launch a new group that creates technical standards for human exoskeletons. This fast-growing area includes wearable robots and other mechanisms that enhance human strength and provide other capabilities.

New exoskeleton standards could support cutting-edge industrial, military, medical, recreational, and other applications. Examples include orthotics for patients, robotic enhancements for factory workers, and high-tech suits for soldiers.

Government agencies, industry groups, laboratories, researchers, and others are driving this effort. They are interested in creating test methods and other types of voluntary consensus standards related to configuration, performance, ergonomics, and security.

The no-fee meeting is Thursday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at ASTM International’s global headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa. (USA). Anyone interested in charting a path toward standards in this field is welcome to attend.

The meeting will:

  • Bring an array of industry experts together;
  • Identify specific standards needs;
  • Determine if ASTM International should formally launch a new activity; and, if so,
  • Develop and approve title, scope, and structure of a new technical committee.

The meeting will include an overview of ASTM International, background on industry and government interest in standards development, and a review of initial areas to be considered.

In advance of the meeting, ASTM International will host four webinars on July 27 (10 a.m.), Aug. 9 (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), and Aug. 23 (1 p.m.),  to provide an overview of the standards development process.

To register for the webinars and/or the organizational meeting, click here, or contact Christine DeJong.

ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for developing international standards.  The organization’s standards are used globally in research and development, product testing, quality systems, commercial transactions, and more.