Hapo UP – Shoulder Exoskeleton for Overhead Work

The Hapo UP exoskeleton is designed for “arms overhead” work, that is, all tasks done with arms raised, at shoulder height or above the head. It accompanies these postures and movements through support of the shoulders and arms, and helps limit wear on the body at work.

Raising the arms above shoulder level is one of the most demanding postures for the upper body. The shoulder muscles work intensely to hold the arms up, and circulation there is harder: fatigue arrives quickly, and repeating these movements promotes pain and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The Hapo UP was developed specifically to relieve these situations.

Many trades are concerned. In construction and finishing trades, it accompanies ceiling work: plasterboard, painting, electrical, plumbing, ventilation, false ceilings. In industry and automotive, it relieves screwing, drilling and assembly at height, as well as work under structures. In maintenance, it helps during operations done with arms raised on machines or installations.

Other sectors also benefit: logistics for high storage, shipbuilding or aerospace for work under hulls or fuselages, or certain craft trades involving repeated movements above the head. Wherever the arms are frequently raised, the Hapo UP finds its use.

The common point of these uses is the raised-arm posture, distinct from work with arms in front (covered by the Hapo FRONT) and head-up work (handled by the Hapo NECK). Identifying the workstation's dominant posture is essential to choosing the right model: the Hapo UP specifically targets efforts done with arms overhead.

The expected benefit is a reduction in shoulder fatigue on tasks at height. By returning part of the effort when the arms are raised, the device lets you hold these difficult postures longer with less tension, and recover better at the end of the day.

As with any exoskeleton, the Hapo UP is part of a prevention approach that complements workstation design, the use of scaffolding or lifts where possible, and task rotation. It does not eliminate effort, but it lightens a significant part of it, helping preserve the shoulders over time.

In short, the Hapo UP is the ally of arms-overhead work in construction, industry, automotive and maintenance: it supports the shoulders and arms at elevation to limit fatigue and prevent MSDs.

The Hapo UP relieves the shoulders by returning part of the effort needed to keep the arms up. Thanks to its leaf springs, it accompanies the raising of the arms and supports holding them at height, thereby offloading the shoulder muscles that, without assistance, work intensely against gravity.

The principle is mechanical and progressive. When the user raises their arms, the springs built into the device store then release energy to “carry” a fraction of the weight of the arms and the tools held. The muscular effort required to hold the posture is reduced: the shoulder is less loaded, which delays the onset of fatigue and lets you keep up tasks at height longer.

This support is particularly valuable because the raised-arm posture is one of the most harmful for the upper body. Above shoulder level, muscular load is high and blood circulation harder; fatigue sets in quickly and, repeated day after day, this stress promotes pain and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). By lightening the effort, the Hapo UP tackles this risk factor directly.

The device is designed to accompany movement without constraining it. It supports the raising of the arms while leaving the user the freedom needed to carry out their movements, including precision tasks. The assistance is felt when the arms go up, and fades when they come down: it comes in at the right moment, where the need is real.

The support is permanent and mechanical: since the Hapo UP is a passive exoskeleton, the assistance depends on no battery and stays constant from the start to the end of the shift. There is no drop in power over the hours, which guarantees regular help over the whole day.

The concrete result is a markedly reduced shoulder fatigue on work at height, better endurance in difficult postures and easier recovery. Users generally report a feeling of “lighter” shoulders at the end of the day when chaining tasks with arms raised.

It should be recalled that the Hapo UP is a prevention and comfort tool: it complements workstation design (use of lifts or scaffolding where possible), task rotation and good practice. It does not remove effort, but it lightens a decisive part of it.

In short, the Hapo UP relieves the shoulders by carrying part of the weight of the raised arms through its springs, progressively and permanently: a targeted answer to the strain of overhead work and to preventing shoulder MSDs.

The Hapo UP is a passive exoskeleton. It works solely through leaf springs, with no motor, no battery and no electronics. The support of the shoulders and arms during “arms overhead” work is therefore purely mechanical: the springs return part of the effort at the moment the arms are raised.

This passive design ensures constant, always-available assistance, identical from the first to the last movement of the day. On worksites or workstations where tasks at height follow one another for hours, this regularity is essential: the support does not weaken and depends on no recharging.

The absence of a motor brings concrete advantages, particularly useful in construction and industrial environments. There is no recharging to manage, so no electrical logistics or service interruption. The device is more robust and tolerates dust, humidity and temperatures from -10 °C to +40 °C, conditions common on worksites and in workshops.

Maintenance is simplified accordingly. With no electronics, no update, no recalibration, no cell to replace: maintenance focuses on cleaning the textile and checking the straps and springs. This simplicity reduces running cost and limits downtime, which matters for companies equipping several workers.

On safety and ease, passive eliminates any electrical risk and any complex control. The user puts on the device, adjusts it, and the assistance works automatically as soon as they raise their arms. This intuitiveness promotes adoption in the field, an essential condition for the exoskeleton to be actually worn and bring a lasting benefit.

A motorized exoskeleton could provide stronger, electronically adjustable assistance, but at the price of more weight, limited range and greater sensitivity to difficult conditions. To support the shoulders during work at height, the Hapo UP's passive assistance offers the best compromise between effectiveness, reliability and ease of use.

In conclusion, the Hapo UP is a device that is entirely mechanical, battery-free and easy to maintain. Its passive design makes it a robust, durable tool for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders linked to overhead work.

The Hapo UP shoulder exoskeleton weighs about 1.87 kg. Slightly heavier than the back models in the range, this weight is explained by its structure running up along the body to support the arms at height. It nevertheless stays perfectly controlled for a device meant for “arms overhead” work, and well distributed to ensure comfort.

This weight follows from the device's passive design: even without a motor or battery, a shoulder exoskeleton needs a structure able to transmit the effort of the raised arms to the trunk. The leaf springs and frame that perform this function explain the slightly higher weight, which stays very reasonable for effective support at elevation.

The distribution of weight is fundamental here. The Hapo UP transfers the load to the chest and pelvis, so that the weight is not borne by the shoulders themselves — which would be counterproductive — but spread over stronger areas of the body. Properly adjusted, the device relieves the shoulders while staying comfortable to wear.

To put this weight in context, the Hapo UP measures around 40 cm in length (69 cm flat), 25 cm in width and 89 cm in height. Its structure accompanies the upper body to provide the support needed for overhead movements, while preserving freedom of movement.

Weight and its balance play a key role in the device's acceptance. On tasks at height that are already tiring, a well-distributed exoskeleton that genuinely relieves the shoulders without feeling like an overload is essential to being adopted. Since the Hapo UP contains no motor, it does not heat up and stays silent throughout the shift.

This weight takes nothing away from the robustness or effectiveness of the support. Designed and made in France, the Hapo UP is built for intensive professional use in construction, industry and maintenance, with springs sized for many arm-raising cycles.

In conclusion, at 1.87 kg well distributed toward the trunk, the Hapo UP offers effective shoulder support during overhead work, in a format suited to its function. It is a controlled compromise between support, comfort and robustness, in the service of preventing musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulder.

The Hapo UP exoskeleton has a 2-year warranty. The warranty covers spring breakage and manufacturing defects in the textile elements, the components essential to its operation. It reflects the French manufacturer Ergosanté's confidence in the solidity of this device dedicated to work at height.

The leaf springs, which provide support for the raised arms, are sized to endure a large number of cycles without loss of effectiveness: on worksites and in industry, arms-raised movements are repeated intensely, and spring reliability is decisive. The textile and straps are in turn selected to withstand daily use and difficult conditions. This manufacturing quality is the first guarantee of a durable product.

To benefit from coverage, it is generally recommended to register the product after purchase and keep the invoice. The warranty applies for use in accordance with the instructions: respect for conditions of use (dry environment, temperature from -10 °C to +40 °C), suitable adjustment and regular maintenance. Damage linked to abnormal use, alteration of the device or lack of maintenance remains excluded.

The Hapo UP's passive design strengthens its reliability in demanding environments. With no motor, battery or electronics, the causes of failure specific to motorized exoskeletons disappear: no battery sensitive to worksite conditions, no exposed electronic board, no fragile sensor. The device is made up of mechanical and textile elements, simpler to maintain and keep going over time.

This robustness has a direct economic effect. For a construction, industrial or maintenance company, a device that is guaranteed for two years, reliable and easy to maintain secures the investment and reduces costs linked to breakdowns and downtime. The Hapo UP also benefits from the Made in France label and the CE Machinery 2006/42/EC and ISO 9001 certifications, guarantees of safety and consistency in manufacturing.

In case of difficulty during the covered period, contact the reseller or the manufacturer, stating the serial number and the nature of the defect found. Handling is carried out according to the manufacturer's conditions, which takes care of follow-up, supply of parts and, where applicable, repair or replacement of the device.

In short, the Hapo UP's 2-year warranty, backed by robust French manufacturing and recognized certifications, reflects a product designed to withstand work at height and to lastingly support the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders of the shoulders.