Back and work Updated on September 29, 2026 By Axel Paupier Methodology

How do you integrate an exoskeleton in a company, step by step?

Q: How do you integrate an exoskeleton in a company, step by step?

The approach described by the Seine-Maritime management center, based on standard NF X35-800, has four phases: needs statement, selection, evaluation, deployment. Deployment starts with a pilot with volunteers, then rolls out gradually, with continuous follow-up and the occupational physician involved.

The answer in detail

Introducing an exoskeleton in a company is not just buying a device. The integration approach presented by the Seine-Maritime management center, based on standard NF X35-800, breaks it into four phases: state the need, select, evaluate, deploy.

This approach aims to check that the device meets a real physical-assistance need without creating a new risk. It applies to work situations, and the occupational physician is involved for the medical opinion, usage recommendations and risk assessment. This is not medical advice or legal advice: it describes a prevention method.

The four phases

Needs statement: analyze existing activities (tasks, constraints, accidents, musculoskeletal disorders), identify assistance needs, define the future activity and draft specifications.
Selection: identify one or more models, compare them (assisted areas, weight, maintenance) and check compatibility with tools and protective equipment.
Evaluation: analyze usefulness, usability, impact and safety, in iterative cycles.
Deployment: pilot with volunteers, training and tests in real conditions, then gradual rollout and continuous follow-up of health, performance and user feeling.

INRS also recommends that discussions be held as early as possible in the project, with everyone concerned.

Step-by-step instructions

Set up a working group before the device even arrives: prevention, occupational health, management, employees.
Analyze the workstations and document the constraints that justify assistance.
Compare several models on written criteria, including compatibility with your equipment.
Organize a pilot with volunteers, a hands-on session and trials in real conditions.
Decide on rollout based on feedback, then track health, performance and feeling.

Common mistakes

Difficulties almost always come from a project launched without an evaluation stage.

Buying the device before writing down the need.
Skipping the pilot and rolling out immediately.
Leaving the occupational physician or the works council out of the discussion.
Not checking compatibility with the tools and protective equipment in place, which can make the device unusable on the workstation.
Providing no follow-up after deployment, when the approach calls for continuous follow-up.

Key takeaways

The integration approach has four phases: needs, selection, evaluation, deployment, with a volunteer pilot and continuous follow-up. It relies on standard NF X35-800 and involves the occupational physician. Roll out only after the pilot, keep the minutes and continue follow-up after deployment. For the legal framework, read our question on the works council and our question on user familiarization.