Abstract Despite the promising impact that exoskeletons might have on reducing MSDs, on-farm investigations of exoskeletons are limited. This study explored farmers' perceptions of the feasibility and practicality of exoskeleton use in Canadian prairie grain and livestock farm operations. Fifteen farm workers (age 25–70 years) used a passive back-supporting exoskeleton during standardized and unique tasks at their own farms. They then participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences during the trials, advantages and disadvantages of exoskeleton use, suggested improvements, and speculation about feasibility of exoskeleton use on farms. Interview analysis revealed seven overlapping and inter-related themes: ‘safety’, ‘comfort’, ‘jobs & timing’, ‘health’, ‘mobility’, ‘ease of use’, and ‘productivity’. Interviews showed diversity in farmers' perceptions of exoskeleton performance within these themes, demonstrating that successful implementation on farms will require alignment between the exoskeleton design, the users, and the tasks being performed. Findings can facilitate development of future designs as well as appropriate implementation strategies for the farm environment, with the ultimate goal of improving the health, quality of life, and productivity of farmers and workers facing similar ergonomic hazards.

中文翻译：

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农民对农场外骨骼使用的看法：为工作找到合适的工具（呃）

摘要 尽管外骨骼可能对减少 MSD 产生有希望的影响，但外骨骼的农场研究是有限的。本研究探讨了农民对外骨骼在加拿大草原粮食和畜牧养殖场运营中的可行性和实用性的看法。15 名农场工人（25-70 岁）在他们自己农场的标准化和独特的任务中使用了被动式背部支撑外骨骼。然后，他们参加了半结构式访谈，内容涉及他们在试验期间的经验、外骨骼使用的优缺点、改进建议以及对外骨骼在农场使用的可行性的猜测。访谈分析揭示了七个重叠且相互关联的主题：“安全”、“舒适”、“工作与时间”、“健康”、“机动性”、“易用性”和“生产力”。访谈显示，农民对这些主题中外骨骼性能的看法存在差异，表明在农场成功实施需要外骨骼设计、用户和正在执行的任务之间保持一致。调查结果可以促进未来设计的发展以及农场环境的适当实施策略，最终目标是改善面临类似人体工程学危害的农民和工人的健康、生活质量和生产力。