ASTM F3585-25A
Standard Test Method for Measuring Exoskeleton Cognitive Fit, Perceived Safety, and Acceptance
| Standard number: | ASTM F3585-25A |
| Released: | 01.11.2025 |
| Status: | Active |
| Pages: | 22 |
| Section: | 15.13 |
| Keywords: | acceptance; cognitive; ease of use; efficacy; exoskeleton; perception; safety; usability; usefulness; |
1.1 This test method covers a procedure for assessing the user’s intent to accept working with an exoskeleton, their perceived safety while using the exoskeleton, as well as the cognitive fit of the exoskeleton. This test method, the Cognitive Fit, Perceived Safety, and Acceptance (CSA) during exoskeleton use assessment tool, is a subjective questionnaire designed to discover the cognitive fit, acceptance, and perceived safety of a particular exoskeleton design for a user given a particular task.
1.2 The CSA consists of a ranked choice safety perception questionnaire and a Likert scale questionnaire consisting of two sub-models, the Exoskeleton Use Intent (EUI) and the Exoskeleton Cognitive Fit (Ref. (1))2 (see Fig. 1). These two questionnaires are given to a test subject twice: one four question Likert form and the safety questionnaire given to a worker after they have performed a typical work task without using an exoskeleton, and one 24 question Likert form and the safety questionnaire after they have performed a typical work task using an exoskeleton. An example of these questionnaires is in Appendix X1. The CSA tool is briefly summarized, as well as a discussion of its scoring, and analysis of results are in Appendix X2.
1.3 The data provided by the CSA can help exoskeleton designers with the user’s perceptions of the exoskeleton’s acceptability, task usefulness and safety of their exoskeleton designs. The CSA can also provide potential purchasers to a decision whether the exoskeleton design is a suitable candidate for the worker performing a given task, however using the CSA will probably be limited to large corporations with an abundance of resources available.
1.3.1 Exoskeletons are being used, specifically in the industrial/occupational sector, to enhance safety and effectiveness of the user to perform tasks. The test results of the CSA will indicate how well the exoskeleton is able to support the user within the specified types of environments, confinements, and terrains while also feeling safe, thus providing the tester the applicability of the exoskeleton to a particular task.
1.3.2 This test method was designed to be given simultaneously with any number of ASTM exoskeleton physiological/ergonomic, safety, or performance test methods either in a testing laboratory or in the field.
1.3.3 It is vital that this test method be conducted by personnel having the knowledge and experience appropriate to perform human factor and usability assessments. Fundamental notions of human factors and ergonomics can be found in Ref (2) or Ref (3). Fundamental notions of usability can be found in ISO 9241-11:2018.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.