Embodiment of Occupational Exoskeletons as Developing a Sense of Ownership and Readiness-To-Hand: Laboratory and Field Explorations

Objective This study empirically investigates the embodiment of occupational exoskeletons (OEs) through repeated use. Background OEs are wearable devices designed to assist operators’ movements. Their embodiment— the phenomenon by which they come to be perceived as an integral part of oneself — remains underexplored, thus limiting our understanding of OE adoption. We operationalize embodiment through readiness-to-hand (using the device with minimal conscious attention) and sense of ownership (perceiving the device as part of oneself). Method Study 1 is a laboratory study using a within-subject design to examine the evolution of embodiment through two single-item scales over repeated training sessions with an upper-limb exoskeleton in a sample of 14 participants. Study 2 is a field study using a cross-sectional design to investigate differences in OE embodiment across 27 operators with varying experience of OE use. Embodiment was assessed using the same measures as in Study 1. Results Study 1 showed that repeated use shifted attention from the device to the task. Additionally, repeated use led to a progressive integration of the exoskeleton within oneself. Study 2 provided similar results, showing that experienced users focused more on the task when using their OEs and exhibited a greater integration of OEs into the self than novice users. Conclusion Repeated OE use is linked to the cognitive disappearance of the exoskeleton and merging of self and device. Application Understanding embodiment can guide the development of OEs. Integrating embodiment assessments can optimize implementation strategies and strengthen our understanding of users’ adoption and rejection.