Transcript: Innovation in Support of Employee Well-Being at Work
00:00:03 – 00:00:15
Nicolas Stuyvers, Head of Strategic Innovation Program, NATP & Robotics, RATP Group
We are here at the Villetaneuse workshop on Line T8, which is one of the main workshops where we have deployed these exoskeletons that assist our maintenance staff during door repair operations.
00:00:16 – 00:00:28
Speaker
In practice, exoskeletons are solutions that help reduce physical effort and strain at a workstation, ensuring that our maintenance staff or operators feel less fatigued by the end of the day.
00:00:29 – 00:00:45
Patrick Boureille, Maintenance Technician, RATP
I’ve been using this equipment for almost two years now. I wear it every time because it really makes a difference. When working on door adjustments, which can last several days, by the end of the session, I go home without any pain. I feel much less tired than when I’m not using it.
00:00:46 – 00:01:11
Nicolas Stuyvers, Head of Strategic Innovation Program, NATP & Robotics, RATP Group
There are two types of exoskeletons: the first are passive exoskeletons, which operate purely mechanically. We use them to assist movements at workstations with moderate physical constraints.
Then there are active exoskeletons, which use electrical or hydraulic energy. These exoskeletons provide stronger mechanical support and are mainly used in logistics activities where heavy lifting is involved.
00:01:14 – 00:01:20
Patrick Boureille, Maintenance Technician, RATP
Once you put it on, you forget it’s there. It feels like being in water, in zero gravity, as I always say. It’s comfortable.
00:01:20 – 00:01:34
Nicolas Stuyvers, Head of Strategic Innovation Program, NATP & Robotics, RATP Group
The NTAP program started three years ago. Since then, we have carried out various experiments — around 20 projects in total. Some were closed because they didn’t provide benefits, while others were industrialized.
00:01:35 – 00:02:10
Speaker
This program allowed us to experiment with different exoskeleton technologies. We tested exoskeletons for maintenance, for tasks that require arms raised, backpack exoskeletons for track maintenance staff, posture vests that support the back and guide movement for inspectors, and even more active exoskeletons, such as bionic gloves for technicians who handle parts all day.
00:02:10 – 00:02:26
Speaker
So we really had numerous projects and tested a wide variety of exoskeletons. This is where innovation becomes interesting because it allows us to think outside the box and provide new solutions in sometimes very challenging situations.
00:02:27 – 00:02:37
Speaker
The New Physical Assistance Technologies program has placed improving the quality of work life for RATP employees at the very heart of its priorities.