The Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance (CISWP) at Conestoga College has partnered with Mawashi Science & Technology to support the safety and productivity of the skilled trades workforce through leading-edge assistive technologies.
“Mawashi is excited to be part of meaningful applied research initiatives that will help to identify opportunities to reduce and prevent workplace injuries, improve business productivity and performance, and address workforce challenges by enabling more diversity and inclusion in the skilled trades,” said Etienne Lamoureux, general manager, Mawashi Science & Technology.
Mawashi Science & Technology is a Canadian innovation company developing physical assistive devices, including game-changing exoskeleton technologies. Mawashi’s UPLIFT™ exoskeleton is a passive exoskeleton designed to assist the user during various load-handling tasks.
“Through our partnership with Mawashi and their contribution of the UPLIFT full-body exoskeletons, the institute can continue to grow its applied research programs related to skilled trades and diversity and inclusion in the workforce,” said Dr. Amin Yazdani, CISWP executive director.
This new partnership will immediately support several CISWP research projects including Improving Worker Health and Performance in Construction: Implementation and Adoption of Advanced Technologies, and Supporting Women in the Skilled Trades by Making Work Safer and More Accessible, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council’s College and Community Social Innovation Fund.
“This project will investigate the use of exoskeleton technology in the workplace as a possible solution to help prevent musculoskeletal disorders, reduce workplace injuries, and support a timely, safe, and sustainable return to work,” added Dr. Yazdani.
The exoskeleton technology will also support CISWP’s Skilled Trades Research, Innovation, and Education in Occupational Safety and Health (STRIVE OSH) research program that targets the future of skilled trades through an investment from Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. The STRIVE OSH project brings together stakeholders to help ensure skilled trades businesses are prepared to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce aimed at targeting a critical workforce shortage.
“We are pleased to have Mawashi join our growing research program and enable us to conduct important, first-of-its-kind applied research that will help to modernize skilled trades work and build an inclusive, highly skilled workforce,” said Dr. Yazdani. “Introducing innovative technologies such as exoskeletons to apprentices and trainees is increasingly vital, and the partnership with Mawashi supports the success of our students and employer partners.”
The Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance, located within Conestoga’s School of Business, works to improve the safety, wellness and performance of the Canadian labour force by generating knowledge, transferring research to practice and strengthening workforce development — all in collaboration with stakeholders.
For more information, contact CISWP at ciswp@conestogac.on.ca.
Founded in 2003, Mawashi has over 20 years of expertise in new product development and research and development, specifically in designing wearable systems on the human body. The constant desire to innovate inspires the team to push their limits and create unconventional innovative products that redefine market standards. It is this quest for pioneering that leads to the development of an exoskeleton for workers, the UPLIFT exoskeleton.
For more information, visit uplift.mawashi.ca or contact Mawashi at info@mawashi.net.