Wearable Robots at Work: A Psychological Perspective on Occupational Exoskeletons

The current dissertation delves into the acceptance and psychological consequences of occupational exoskeletons, that is body-worn systems designed to physically assist their wearers in completing strenuous tasks in the workplace. Using a mixed-methods design that integrates a qualitative focus group study, exploratory field research, and a controlled laboratory experiment, the present thesis considered perceptions and firsthand experiences of target users in real-world work environments. It explored factors that influence workers' intention to use exoskeletons at work from established theories of technology acceptance and shed light on additional aspects that are specifically relevant to a person’s willingness to adopt this wearable workplace technology. By having a closer look at users’ self-perceptions, the dissertation examined how wearing an exoskeleton affects users' self-efficacy beliefs, perceived physical attractiveness, and self-attributions associated with a mechanically dehumanized self. Overall, the current dissertation highlights the importance of integrating psychological dimensions into research on occupational exoskeletons to comprehensively assess their impact on user well-being and guide their successful implementation.