SINGAPORE – Donning robotic frames that transform them into “superhuman” lifters, soldiers easily handle heavy boxes while preparing and assembling packs for the 2024 National Day Parade (NDP).
For the first time, these soldiers get to wear exoskeleton suits – wearable devices that rest on their shoulders and back, supporting their body shapes as they lift boxes ranging from 10kg to 45kg in weight.
“With the exoskeleton, it feels like I’m carrying half the weight of these boxes,” said Private Muhammad Noor Hyder, speaking to media at the packing centre at Nee Soon Camp on July 16.
“It helps me to support my back and I don’t have to use too much effort,” he said, adding that the suit, which weighs about 10 kg itself, did take him some time to get used to.
The 21-year-old full-time national serviceman is one of 70 NSFs and regulars tasked to assemble more than 300,000 NDP packs for this year’s celebrations.
The exoskeleton is worn like a harness, and supports the soldier’s movements, reducing the strain on his back and joints.
The support from the device helps to maintain a comfortable posture for the wearer, and reduces the risk of injury when lifting heavy items.
In addition to the exoskeleton suits, other technologies like an automated production line and ground robots are also being trialled in the assembly of the NDP packs, said Major Desmond Lim, the chairman of the NDP Pack Committee.
These technologies aim to reduce the overall manpower and man-hours required to prepare these packs, he added.
The automated packing line for NDP packs was first trialled in 2022, and made a comeback in 2024 after technological improvements were made, along with safety measures implemented, said Maj Lim.
Ten robotic arms are lined up in the shape of a round conveyor belt, with each arm having either a suction or gripper attached to it, allowing it to pick up items and drop them in each NDP pack.