Analysis of Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance Data Collection

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
Consent Form 2021.pdf Supplementary Document	2021-11-23
0693-0083_Supporting Statement Part B_2025.docx Supporting Statement B	2025-01-28
0693-0083_Supporting Statement_2025.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-01-28

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
233455	Analysis of Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance to Complete Industrial Tasks Other-paper survey	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0693-0083	ICR Reference No: 202501-0693-003
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202111-0693-001
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NIST	Agency Tracking No: MO
Title: Analysis of Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance Data Collection
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 01/28/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	01/31/2025
Responses	240	240
Time Burden (Hours)	40	40
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: Exoskeletons – sometimes called wearable robots – are a very rapidly expanding domain with a range of applications and a broad diversity of designs. NIST’s Engineering Laboratory will be developing methods to evaluate performance of exoskeletons in two key areas 1) The fit and motion of the exoskeleton device with respect to the users’ body and 2) The impact that using an exoskeleton has on the performance of users executing tasks that are representative of activities in industrial settings and emergency response applications. The results of these experiments will inform future test method development at NIST, other organizations, and under the purview of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) Committee F48 on Exoskeletons and Exosuits. For the first research topic, NIST will evaluate the usefulness of a NIST prototype apparatus for measuring the difference in performance of a person wearing an exoskeleton versus the person’s baseline without the exoskeleton while positioning loads and tools. The NIST Position and Load Test Apparatus for Exoskelons (PoLoTAE), which presents abstractions of industrial task challenges, will be evaluated in this research. Data is not stored in a Privacy Act System of Records.

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 77835	09/24/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 8284	01/28/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Analysis of Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance to Complete Industrial Tasks

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	240	240	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	40	40	0	0	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $4,800

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? Yes Part B of Supporting Statement

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 01/28/2025

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