A new technological solution promises relief for millions of workers who perform physically demanding tasks every day. A team of Dutch innovators and scientists from the University of Twente has introduced a so-called 'smart brace' that actively supports the lower back during work.
The smart brace was developed by UT researchers Malte Asseln and Daan Legters. "The need for innovation is urgent. In Europe, an estimated 7.5 million nurses and caregivers face heavy physical strain, with nearly half suffering from lower back pain. At the same time, there is an expected shortage of one million nurses by 2030, while the annual costs of physical health problems run into hundreds of billions of euros. We wanted to develop a solution to address this."
A large and often overlooked problem
On average, a healthcare worker performs more than 1,000 physically straining movements per shift, a structural issue that, according to the developers, has remained underrecognized for far too long.
Smart support at the right moment
The new brace provides real-time support exactly when physical strain occurs. “The system functions like an ‘extra layer of muscles’,” says Asseln, initiator of the research. “It activates during lifting and bending movements, and relaxes once the user returns to a neutral posture. The design is lightweight, compact, and fully compatible with existing workflows, ensuring it does not interfere with daily tasks.”
Positive results in practice
Field tests show immediate impact: 100% of users felt supported while working with the brace, perceived physical effort decreased by 50%, and users worked on average 6 degrees more upright. A nurse who participated in the trials reported that the brace not only provides physical support but also actively encourages better posture.
Real-world impact
Encouraging research led to the creation of University of Twente spin-off Orthevo B.V., founded by Daan Legters and Malte Asseln to 'bring the innovation to life'. Since April 2026, Orthevo and co-founder Legters have continued as part of the Boers & Co Precision Solutions Group, a family-run business with over 130 years of precision engineering experience. Boers & Co’s expertise and infrastructure now provide the platform for further professionalisation and industrialisation of the technology. ‘This milestone marks the successful translation of innovative academic research into industrial development’ Asseln explains proudly.
Broad applications beyond healthcare
While the first applications are in healthcare, Legters and Asseln see a much broader potential. Sectors such as logistics, construction, and manufacturing, together employing tens of millions of workers across Europe, also face significant physical strain. The global market for wearable robotics is growing rapidly and is expected to reach approximately €14 billion by 2030.
Looking ahead
The team behind the innovation, consisting of technical and medical experts, is collaborating with various partners to develop and scale the technology. Their ambition is clear: to make work physically less demanding without compromising productivity. "Meaningful work should never come at the cost of your health," Asseln and Legters conclude.
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