WATCH: Ford could use bionic workers at its factories

Detroit - Ford has partnered with bionic technology company EksoWorks to outfit its workers with a unique set of equipment designed to make short work of the heavy lifting required at its factories.

The lightweight vest supports workers, providing lift assistance of up to 6.8kg (per arm) through a mechanical actuator that takes the stress off a worker’s shoulders.

Ekso works said: "The physical demands of repetitive overhead work takes its toll on workers. Some workers on the assembly line lift their arms an average of 4.600 times per day, or about 1 million times per year, increasing the possibility of fatigue or injury.

"That’s where the EksoVest comes in. Ford and Ekso Bionics partnered to explore how this upper body exoskeleton that elevates and supports a worker’s arms can help."