SINGAPORE’S approach towards Industry 4.0 is “not simply about technology”, said Senior Minister for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon on 17 Oct 2019. Mr Koh spoke at the Future of Manufacturing Summit, the flagship conference of the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (ITAP) – a Hannover Messe event, held at the Singapore Expo. In his speech, he noted that public-private sector partnerships, as well as a skilled workforce, are key to Singapore’s efforts to shape the future of manufacturing. To that end, one such instance of empowering workforce is the industrial exoskeletons SuitX, which Mr Koh tried on himself.

The non-powered exoskeletons help workers reduce the risk of getting injuries by 60%, via its novel ergonomic design. It is made for daily use with non to minimum maintenance required. Endorsed by Singapore Industrial Automation Association (SIAA), exoskeletons complements to places where automation is less an ideal due to cost concern, and workers are still in the loop. Protecting the workers from fatigue can essentially create a more pleasant working environment, and achieve higher productivity.