In 2023, Festool launched its battery-operated exoskeleton, the ExoActive, which makes light work of strenuous overhead tasks. This year, the company has introduced the Festool Work App, which is delivering functional extras for everyday work with the ExoActive.
A helping hand with ExoActive
Festool's ExoActive is an active exoskeleton powered by an 18 volt battery, which is also compatible with the entire Festool 18 Volt System and was very well received upon its launch. This exoskeleton provides support during overhead work, whether using power tools, traditional hand tools or even bare hands. Consequently, with the stress on their body reduced, users can work without fatigue, enabling them to work more effectively. Festool also received an iF design award for the ExoActive, a testament to its ingenuity.
"Once you know firsthand what it's like to work supported by an active exoskeleton, you won't want to work on a wall or ceiling without our ExoActive ever again. The exoskeleton makes it much easier to avoid overexertion during overhead work in particular. Our ExoActive reduces the load on users’ front shoulder muscles by up to 30 percent. This means that work feels up to one third easier. Additionally, we have an active system, which is a unique selling point in this product segment. 'Active' means that we supply it with power. This allows the ExoActive to be adapted almost instantly to any work situation. The ExoActive is powered by a Festool 18 volt battery pack, just like our other tools. This makes it the perfect addition to our existing battery system," states Dominic Ender, product manager for the new ExoActive exoskeleton.
"The ExoActive reduces the load on users’ front shoulder muscles, which would otherwise feel the burn all day. This means that you can keep your arms up much longer, reducing the time pressure and stress levels when setting the screw connection or producing a more even spray pattern," attests Karl Preiser, test customer for the 2023 ExoActive test study from Germany.
New additional functions with the Work App
With the free Festool Work App, available for Android and iOS, the ExoActive will, in future, be even more customisable to suit the specific application and requirements – all via the smartphone touchscreen. For example, the App can be used to show step-by-step instructions detailing how to adjust the ExoActive to the user's body size. The App also makes it easier to set the appropriate working mode: Either Flex or Fix mode.
The Fix mode provides support in a fixed position of around 100 degrees in front of the body, for example during longer installation work in one place. In Flex mode, the position can be selected with complete freedom. For asymmetrical work, the ExoActive offers support on one side for either the right or left arm, for example when using a cordless drill. Using the App, the ExoActive can be easily adjusted to suit the work situation in question. Additional features include a display the charge status, operating data such as the level of support as well as providing access to software updates and even tutorials on how to use the ExoActive most effectively.
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