ASTM International to Host Organizational Meeting on Human Exoskeleton Standards

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Jul 20, 2017, 10:30 ET

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., July 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- ASTM International, one of the world's largest standards developers, will host an organizational meeting to potentially launch a new group that creates technical standards for human exoskeletons. This fast-growing area includes wearable robots and other mechanisms that enhance human strength and provide other capabilities.

New exoskeleton standards could support cutting-edge industrial, military, medical, recreational, and other applications. Examples include orthotics for patients, robotic enhancements for factory workers, and high-tech suits for soldiers.

Government agencies, industry groups, laboratories, researchers, and others are driving this effort. They are interested in creating test methods and other types of voluntary consensus standards related to configuration, performance, ergonomics, and security.

The no-fee meeting is Thursday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT at ASTM International's global headquarters in West Conshohocken, Pa. (USA). Anyone interested in charting a path toward standards in this field is welcome to attend.

The meeting will:

bring an array of industry experts together;
identify specific standards needs;
determine if ASTM International should formally launch a new activity; and, if so,
develop and approve title, scope, and structure of a new technical committee.

The meeting will include: an overview of ASTM International, background on industry and government interest in standards development, and a review of initial areas to be considered.

In advance of the meeting, ASTM International will host four webinars on July 27 (10 a.m.), Aug. 9 (10 a.m. and 2 p.m.), and Aug. 23 (1 p.m.), to provide an overview of the standards development process.

To register for the webinars and/or the organizational meeting, click here, or contact Christine DeJong at [email protected].

DeJong, director of business development, notes that ASTM International stands ready to accommodate this new effort. With nearly 150 committees and more than 12,000 standards in its portfolio, ASTM International is one of the world's largest developers of globally recognized standards and related products and services. It provides a management system to develop standards for materials, products, systems, and services across many industries.

ASTM International meets the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles for developing international standards. The organization's standards are used globally in research and development, product testing, quality systems, commercial transactions, and more.

To learn more about the ASTM International process, visit www.astm.org/ABOUT/full_overview. To join, go to www.astm.org/JOIN.

About ASTM International
Committed to serving global societal needs, ASTM International positively impacts public health and safety, consumer confidence, and overall quality of life. We integrate consensus standards – developed with our international membership of volunteer technical experts – and innovate services to improve lives… Helping our world work better.

Exoskeleton Standards Organizational Meeting: Sept. 14, 2017, ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA, 19428-2959 USA
Media Inquiries: Dan Bergels, tel +1.610.832.9602; [email protected]
Participant Contact: Christine DeJong, tel +1.610.832.9736; [email protected]

SOURCE ASTM International