For a year now, Jan van Winsen, a Dutch cut flower grower from has been using the Exoskeleton from Laevo. After two herniated discs, the question "How come?" is both redundant and sufficiently explanatory: the suit supports specific activities that require a lot of bending.
Jan van Winsen at work on his land. Photo credits: Laevo
Jan is very happy with it. "It's a great help because at certain peak times of the year, you urgently need to top or cut, and you're suddenly bending down all day. You then only move back up occasionally, and as I am 60 years old, it doesn't get any easier. The exoskeleton pushes you up, so to speak."
The Laevo Flex is a recently launched, new version of the exoskeleton developed by Laevo that is also suitable for work in the field. The suit features energy-storing spring systems that store energy every time you bend. Without restricting freedom of movement, energy is stored when moving the torso down and given back when returning upright. (click here for a demo). Under the motto 'We've got your back,' it thus offers support and comfort for jobs that require a lot of bending and lifting.
You definitely notice a difference, Jan says, especially in those specific repetitive actions like pruning and cutting. "I don't use it for everything, and it doesn't take over the the lifting itself. But it is comfortable, and you have no maintenance on it. You only have to clean it a bit every now and then."
With three staff, Jan grows an assortment of seasonal flowers, largely in the open field and a small part in mobile greenhouses. Especially for growers like himself, the somewhat smaller companies that do not have extensive machinery, he can highly recommend the exoskeleton. "It's an investment of a few thousand euros, it will help you to continue working and preventing injuries."
For more information about Laevo FLEX:
Isabelle Dencher
T: +31614040151
E: idencher@laevo.nl
www.laevo-exoskeletons.com
For more information about J. van Winsen
Wasbeeklaan 35
2361 HG Warmond
E: jmvanwinsen@gmail.com
FloraXchange/JM-van-Winsen