It’s launching a pilot program with four suits at a store in Christiansburg, Virginia. The Lowe Labs — the internal research unit of US hardware retailer Lowe 's — has partnered with Virginia Tech ’s Applied Robotics Lab to develop exoskeletons to help employees lift heavy items . The technology will be trialled at a Lowe 's store in Christiansburg , Virginia where employees have access to four of the wearable suits . The suits incorporate carbon - fibre trusses and motors to help transfer a wearer 's energy more effectively . Firms such as Hyundai and Panasonic are also exploring the use of wearable suits to assist workers .
The Lowe Labs — the internal research unit of US hardware retailer Lowe 's — has partnered with Virginia Tech ’s Applied Robotics Lab to develop exoskeletons to help employees lift heavy items . The technology will be trialled at a Lowe 's store in Christiansburg , Virginia where employees have access to four of the wearable suits . The suits incorporate carbon - fibre trusses and motors to help transfer a wearer 's energy more effectively . Firms such as Hyundai and Panasonic are also exploring the use of wearable suits to assist workers .