ASTM F3772-25

1.1.1 The purpose of this test method, as a part of a suite of exoskeleton-use test methods, is to quantitatively evaluate an exoskeleton’s (see Terminology F3323) safety (see 1.5) or performance, or both, for the use of ladders.

1.1.2 Exoskeletons shall possess a certain set of allowable exoskeleton user movement capabilities, including user-motion adaptability, to suit operations such as: industrial/occupational, military, response, medical, or recreational. Environments in these typical sectors often pose constraints to exoskeleton user movement to various degrees. Being able to use ladders, as intended by the user or test requestor, while using an exoskeleton is essential for exoskeleton deployment for a variety of tasks (for example, working at height, accessing high spaces and tall vehicles). This test method specifies test setup, procedure, and recording to standardize this ladder-use task for testing exoskeleton user movement.

1.1.3 Exoskeletons need to function as intended by the manufacturer, including types of tasks and terrain complexities (for example, dirt, metal, masonry, rock, wood). Intended movement capabilities may include, for example: walking, running, crawling, climbing, traversing gaps, stairs, slopes, various types of floor surfaces or terrains, or confined spaces, or combinations thereof. Standard test methods are needed to evaluate whether or not exoskeletons meet their intended functionality.

1.1.4 ASTM Subcommittee F48.03 develops and maintains international standards for task performance and environmental considerations that include but are not limited to, standards for safety, quality, and efficiency. This subcommittee aims to develop standards for any exoskeleton application as exemplified as in 1.1.2. The F48.03 test suite consists of a set of test methods for evaluating exoskeleton capability requirements. This ladder test method is a part of the test suite. The apparatuses associated with the test methods challenge specific exoskeleton capabilities in repeatable ways to facilitate comparison of different exoskeleton models or to facilitate application of exoskeleton capabilities to intended tasks.

1.1.5 The test methods quantify elemental exoskeleton use capabilities necessary for sector applications listed in 1.1.2 and perhaps others. Test requestors of this standard should use either the entire suite or a subset based on their particular requirements. Test requestors are also allowed to weight particular test methods or particular metrics within a test method differently based on their specific requirements. The testing results should collectively represent an exoskeleton’s overall safety or performance, or both, as required for the task. These performance data can be used: to guide procurement specifications, for acceptance testing, and for training to use exoskeletons intended for specific applications.

5.2.1 Example—A test requestor instructs that a lower-body exoskeleton is to be worn by five able-bodied users who are to complete 29 full tests to ascend and descend the standard ladder apparatus at their own pace where environmental variables are similar for all users. Upon testing, each user performed all 29 full tests which, from Appendix X1, Table X1.1, produces 90 % probability of success threshold and 95 % associated confidence with zero failures for all five users.