NeoSomaTech
Hapo HD, BACK, SD, BR or CS: which back exoskeleton to choose?
The answer in detail
The five back models in the Hapo range are passive leaf-spring exoskeletons, made in France, with no motor or battery. They share CE marking under Directive 2006/42/EC and a two-year warranty. What sets them apart is the work posture they target.
The principle remains the same: a spring takes over part of the lower-back effort when the trunk bends. But how the assistance kicks in and the position where it works differ from model to model. A single workshop can therefore justify two different references, for example an HD for standing tasks and an SD for work on the ground.
What the pages say
| Model | Price | Weight | Stated use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hapo HD | 1,282.80 euros | 1.13 kg | bent-forward work, repeated bending |
| Hapo BACK | 2,398.80 euros | 1.1 kg | on-demand lumbar support, neutral the rest of the time |
| Hapo SD | 2,158.80 euros | 0.950 kg | multi-position: bent, kneeling, crouching |
| Hapo BR | 3,595.20 euros | 0.885 to 1.1 kg | lumbar spine decompression |
| Hapo CS | 2,158.80 euros | 0.850 kg | lumbar support, female body shape |
These values come from our product pages. The HD is the entry model of the back range, the BR the most expensive. The price gap between the two exceeds 2,300 euros: it is worth asking what it concretely brings to your workstation before choosing it.
How to choose
- Identify the dominant posture: standing and bent, on the ground, alternating with walking.
- Repeated bending at the workstation: the HD is the most direct, and the cheapest.
- Alternating bending and moving around: the BACK assists only when useful.
- Work on the ground, crouching or kneeling: look at the SD.
- Background lower-back pain, even standing: read the BR page, with the occupational physician's opinion.
Limits and precautions
- An exoskeleton is not personal protective equipment, as INRS recalls.
- It replaces neither workstation organization nor handling aids.
- A trial on the real workstation with the occupational physician is recommended before any purchase.
- This is not medical advice: if you have pain, consult a health professional.
For the range in detail, read our Hapo range guide and our question on herniated disc and low back pain.
Key takeaways
Choose a back Hapo by posture: HD for repeated bending, BACK for on-demand support, SD for crouching or kneeling work, BR for lumbar decompression and CS for the female body shape. All are passive and guaranteed for two years. Test on the real workstation, with the occupational physician's agreement, before committing a budget running from 1,282.80 to 3,595.20 euros, and have the return and warranty conditions confirmed in writing.