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Date May 2018 Marks available 6 Reference code 18M.1.SL.TZ0.4
Level SL Paper 1 Time zone no time zone
Command term Explain Question number 4 Adapted from N/A

Question

Exoskeletons1 for workers

Many jobs in modern manufacturing still require human workers, and many of these jobs involve lifting and carrying heavy loads. Some jobs require workers to maintain unnatural positions for a long period of time or hold tools for many hours. Workers doing these jobs are exposed to possible injuries, resulting in sick days or even a shortened work life. The Robo-Assist project is an attempt to address these problems (see Figure 2).

Robo-Assist is a lightweight powered exoskeleton that uses motors and sensors to enable workers to bear only a small part of the weight of any load they are carrying.

Robo-Assist has three supporting modules: one for the arms to help with lifting, one for the torso2 to support the back and spine, and one for the legs to support the inner thigh so lifting is easier.

Figure 2: The Robo-Assist exoskeleton

 

A group of designers and engineers worked for three years to develop the prototype of the Robo-Assist arm module shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Prototype of Robo-Assist arm module

 

In addition to preventing injuries, exoskeletons can use global positioning systems (GPS) to collect data about a worker’s location, vital signs, and neural signals, as well as other information relating to the user. Overall, Robo-Assist should make workers’ jobs easier and faster. The ultimate goal is to make Robo-Assist available for sale to industries for them to purchase for their workers.


1   exoskeletons: external wearable frameworks that strengthen a human’s natural physical ability
2   torso: the part of the human body that does not include the head, arms or legs

Identify two components of a global positioning system (GPS).

[2]
a.ii.

Identify two key stakeholders involved in this project.

[2]
a.iii.

The research team developing the Robo-Assist project used quantitative and qualitative data to gather information relating to the user.

Explain why the research team collected quantitative and qualitative data.

[6]
b.

Other than for the prevention of injuries, discuss the impacts on workers and employers of the use of exoskeletons in the workplace.

[8]
c.

Markscheme

Answers may include:


Award [1] mark for each component of a global positioning system (GPS) identified up to a maximum of [2] marks.

a.ii.

Answers may include:


Award [1] mark for each stakeholder identified up to a maximum of [2] marks.

a.iii.

Answers may include:

Quantitative data:

Qualitative data:

Reasons for the collection of both types of data:

Keywords: quantitative, qualitative, classification, categorization, statistically significant, nuance, trends, patterns

b.

Possible impacts include:

 

N.B.: Some students may develop the impact of injuries on the workers or the companies. If they go beyond what is already stated in the question, this is an acceptable approach.  

In part (c) of this question it is expected there will be a balance between the terminology related to digital systems and the terminology related to social and ethical impacts.  

Keywords: exoskeletons, health, business organization, regulations, responsibility, accountability, judgement, reliability, sensors, sensory inputs, data, change, systems, values

 

Refer to SL/HL paper 1, part c markbands when awarding marks. These can be found under the "Your tests" tab > supplemental materials > Digital society markbands and guidance document.

c.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.ii.
[N/A]
a.iii.
[N/A]
b.
[N/A]
c.

Syllabus sections

Topic 3: Content » 3.1 Data
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