Hilti North American has introduced its first wearable exoskeleton that functions as a human augmentation device for industrial users to help reduce strain and fatigue.

The wearable exoskeleton, called EXO-O1, is being tested on a real-world jobsite and plans to bring the exoskeleton to market later this year.

While this is the first exoskeleton that Hilti has brought to market, the company plans to develop human augmentation devices in the future. The company said it is also going to introduce additional jobsite automation innovations including but not limited to new robotics technology. Previously, Hilti developed technology to augment workforces across jobsites including ergonomics, workflow automation and semi-automation.

The EXO-O1 is initially focused on overhead and shoulder height and above applications because this type of motion is physically intensive and fatiguing, Hilti said.

"We want to improve the health and safety of our customers, directly impacting jobsite productivity — so they can stay on time and on budget," said Johannes Huber, head of business unit Diamond Systems at Hilti Group, parent company of Hilti North America, in a statement. "Customers that embrace innovation and invest in the latest health and safety technology will be better able to attract and retain the best people as well as keep their jobsites productive."