Publications
Effects of the lumbar support function of wearable robot (Bot Fit) on sitting position
Authors: Jang‑hoon Shin 1, Hyunmuk Lim 2, Naeun Byeon 2, Dokwan Lee 3, Hwang‑Jae Lee 3, Wan‑hee Lee 2
Affiliations:
- Industry‑Academy Cooperation Foundation, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
- Applied Physical Therapy Lab, Department of Physical Therapy, College of Future Convergence, Sahmyook University, Seoul 01795, Republic of Korea
- Bot Fit T/F, New Business T/F, Samsung Electronics, Suwon 16677, Republic of Korea
Journal: BioMedical Engineering OnLine - June 2025, Volume 24, Article no. 70 (DOI: 10.1186/s12938-025-01402-8)
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Field & Applications:
- Medical
- Occupational Healthcare
- Product development
- Balance / Postural control
- Musculoskeletal health
Background: Sedentary lifestyles can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, but proper sitting posture, particularly maintaining a slight anterior pelvic tilt, helps prevent issues like lower back pain and spinal misalignment. Samsung Electronics wearable robot ‘Bot Fit’ improves posture by enhancing core muscle tension, reducing trapezius muscle tension, and improving spinal alignment, which can alleviate pain and improve overall musculoskeletal health.
Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Samsung’s wearable robot, ‘Bot Fit’, in promoting proper sitting posture.
Methods: This study involved 37 participants, including healthy adults, elderly individuals. Participants were evaluated under two conditions, with and without the Bot Fit device, while seated on a Bobath table. Muscle tension, spinal angles, sitting height, and gluteal pressure distribution were measured under both conditions, and statistical analysis was conducted using paired t-tests with a significance level of p = 0.05.
Results: Participants showed a significant increase in sitting height and rectus abdominis muscle tone, while upper trapezius muscle tone significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Additionally, hip pressure increased across all regions, and pressure differences between the left and right hips decreased significantly (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Wearing the Bot Fit with its posture correction function improved muscle tone and sitting posture in adults and the elderly, potentially helping to prevent secondary musculoskeletal disorders from poor posture. Future research should explore the optimal torque settings of the Bot Fit based on individual factors like weight and gender.
Keywords: robotics, sitting position, musculoskeletal system, pelvis, body alignment
When activated, Bot Fit altered spinal angles, reduced muscle tone, and redistributed pressure suggesting improved postural support during sitting. This may contribute to the prevention of secondary musculoskeletal disorders caused by poor sitting posture. In future studies, it will be necessary to analyze the optimal torque values provided by the Bot Fit based on factors such as the subject’s weight and gender.