International Journal of Reconfigurable and Embedded Systems (IJRES) Vol. 14, No. 1, March 2025, pp. 282~290 ISSN: 2089-4864, DOI: 10.11591/ijres.v14.i1.pp282-290  282 Journal homepage: http://ijres.iaescore.com Development and evaluation of robotic exoskeleton arm for enhanced human load carrying efficiency Muhammad Aiman Mohd Azam 1 , Khalil Azha Mohd Annuar 1 , Mohd Razali Mohamad Sapiee 1 , Sanjoy Kumar Debnath 2 1 Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Technology and Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka, Durian Tunggal, Malaysia 2 Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Chitkara University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Rajpura, India Article Info ABSTRACT Article history: Received Aug 6, 2024 Revised Oct 31, 2024 Accepted Nov 12, 2024 In recent years, there has been a significant amount of research dedicated to the development of robotic exoskeleton systems. These technologies have been widely explored for their potential in virtual reality, human power enhancement, robotic rehabilitation, human power assist, and haptic interface applications. This research focuses on creating an exoskeleton arm that can assist individuals in carrying heavy objects. The exoskeleton arm is initially designed using Fusion 360, with the identification and calculation of important components such as the exoskeleton structure, motors serving as joints, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, and an Arduino UNO microcontroller. The research involves various aspects of mechanical design, electronic components, and programming. The effectiveness of the developed exoskeleton arm is then tested through experiments involving several individuals lifting a 2.5 kg and 5.0 kg load. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the force generated by the muscles is reduced when using the exoskeleton arm, compared to using a supporting system. Individuals' performance dropped by 36.06% to 50.44% when using an exoskeleton to lift 2.5 kg. This emphasises its effect on muscle activation and efficiency following physical activity. A 10.14% to 23.25% decline in a 5.0 kg lift shows nuanced impacts, emphasising the need for personalised modifications. Keywords: Arduino microcontroller Electromyography sensor Exoskeleton arm Load carrying assistance Robotic rehabilitation This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license. Corresponding Author: Khalil Azha Mohd Annuar Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Technology and Electrical Engineering Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka Durian Tunggal, Melaka, Malaysia Email: khalilazha@utem.edu.my 1. INTRODUCTION Exoskeleton arm designs have developed as a promising technology with the potential to improve human capabilities in a variety of disciplines, including healthcare and rehabilitation [1]-[3], as well as industrial uses [4]-[6]. These devices are designed to improve the strength, endurance, and precision of human arms, allowing people to perform physically demanding activities more efficiently or supporting those with limited mobility in recovering their independence. Despite their intriguing potential, contemporary exoskeleton arm designs have a number of challenges and limitations that prevent widespread adoption and optimal performance [7], [8].