Wearable Technologies: Potential Opportunities and Deployment Challenges in Manufacturing and Warehousing
Wearable Technologies: Potential Opportunities and Deployment Challenges in Manufacturing and Warehousing, Report no. GAO-25-107213, Dec. 2024
Musculoskeletal injuries cost employers at least $17.7 billion in 2021. Workers in manufacturing and warehousing had these injuries at higher rates. This technology assessment looks at wearable technologies, such as exoskeletons, that aim to reduce musculoskeletal injuries in industrial workplaces. We interviewed people involved with wearable technologies including manufacturers, companies and workers who use them, and more. We found that the technologies may help workers but there haven't been enough studies to know for sure. Ongoing efforts by stakeholders to collect data about the effectiveness of these technologies may help address this.
Publication type:
policy brief
Publication language:
English
Publication date:
2024-12
Publication URL:
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-107213
Institute:
Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics team of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) (STAA)
Country:
United States of America
Project:
Wearable Technologies: Potential Opportunities and Deployment Challenges in Manufacturing and Warehousing (STAA)

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