The new Hilti EXO-T-22 Nuron-powered tool balancer is designed for “helping tools up to 37 pounds feel nearly weightless.”
Hilti has not yet provided us with any press information or product details, but there are some reviews on TikTok from influencers who tested it out about a month ago.
All Hilti says on their website so far, aside for the load capacity, is that the EXO-T-22 is “ergonomically designed and built for heavy demolition work.”
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Hilti’s new tool holder looks a lot like the Easyrig camera support system, and others like it.
Like the Easyrig shown here, the Hilti EXO-T-22 exoskeleton backpack transfers heavy loads to users’ bodies.
The 37 lb support rating is surprising; I have seen Easyrig camera support rigs with load ratings up to 55 and even 70 pounds, and expected a higher rating from the Hilti tool balancer.
Hopefully the Hilti exoskeleton backpack can fold down or collapse a bit for easier storage and transport. But, from the images and reviews on TikTok, it doesn’t look very adjustable.
While the Hilti EXO-T-22 looks sturdy, how much does it weigh by itself? Are there different vest size options?
Hilti has not provided details about battery life, other than saying this will be a Nuron-powered tool.
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What happens when the battery is completely drained?
Pricing information is not yet available.
More Questions About the Hilti EXO-T Exoskeleton
What is the IP rating for dust or water resistance – if any?
Does the EXO-T have to be cleaned from contaminants such as cement dust?
What kind of maintenance is required, and how often does it have to be done?
How does it handle doorways or other potential vertical obstructions? Are there breakaways in case of a collision?
Does it take two people to put it on the user?
Are there wearable parts?
Does it fold for transport or come with a case?
Can it be safely worn on scaffolding?
Dave
I’ve always wanted to be a crane!
AlexK
If I hung a donut from it, maybe it would get me to jog.
Must have a reason to exist. I’ve seen exoskeleton for industry on some new tech YouTube channel.
Hon Cho
Definitely not great for confined spaces but given how physically taxing holding something as light as a reciprocating saw at awkhard angles and heights can be, this will enhance productivity in many–but not all–use cases.
Mosh
It slowly lowers the tool when the battery drains if I recall correctly
Wayne R.
Back in my day, we knocked things down with big dang hammers! Now you gotta have a powered tool to hold your powered tool? Tiny little babies!
JK. I’m sure it’ll save arms & time, but I’m having a hard time imagining a situation in my past lives where something like that thing would help…
Rob Ziemba
Maybe with a handheld core drill? I’ve used those in spaces where you can’t get a full size bolt on Mount secured to a wall. After a while they really wear you out
avi
Well if you ever poured an 9 ft concrete wall and had the forms bulge out on you, and then had to chisel a few inches off the entire wall, it’s a blessing. You could always secure the forms properly from the start but who’s got time for that.
Gdt
I’m a sole owner / operator of a garage door company, garage door panels can weight a lot and especially since I’m on the job by myself this extra arm may be the perfect fit for me. Especially when putting up or taking down panels from my vehicles roof rack
Richard
I have agree.. and if you loose your footing this monstrosity will exacerbate things drastically
Robert
I could see how a business could justify paying for this device more readily through Hilti’s typical rental arrangements, rather than through an outright purchase.
Rafe
Can finally get my whole packout set into the house in one trip!
James
Your whole Packout set weights less than 37 pounds ?! 😉
Other than looking very cool, there’s no use case in my life or profession (I don’t think!!).
I get annoyed wearing a hard hat because the dimensions of my head are bigger and I’m always smacking it on equipment; I can’t imagine how NOT agile this would make one feel…
Stuart
I don’t think you’re going to fit through the doorway.
Liang
I had to double check the date!
Jared
I bet this could be very useful for some workers in certain types of jobs. Something where your work is at mid height and you don’t need to wander in constricted spaces.
As soon as you bend or risk running into something above your head it seems like it would just topple you over.
Why professional tool brands seek exposure from influencers and tictok is beyond me. For a product like this – surely that’s meaningless.
Blocky
Nothing gets out the word faster or reaches people who are specifically interested and following hashtags.
Jared
To people who might actually be interested in buying this rig? This isn’t a tool for Johnny Homeowner.
I can see production environments where this might be very beneficial – are their tool buyers looking at Tiktoc for information?
Blocky
Why should we presume tool buyers (and the people they buy for) are not on social media at a similar rate to everyone else?
Jared
I’m not assuming that. I’m wondering if that’s where they go for product information though.
Maybe I’m coming at it from the wrong angle – e.g. perhaps Tiktoc is for attention grabbing purposes – just to make people aware of the existence of such a thing. But then what?
Are the purchasers using that platform for product research? I would think that after becoming aware of a product like this (maybe the role for Tiktoc), it’s too expensive and specialized to buy on a whim. In that context, I’d be looking for reviews and information from a more reputable source – Toolguyd for example 😜.
It’s not my job, so maybe I don’t understand how this works and someone really is buying a $3000 exoskeleton because of a Tiktoc they saw.
Leo B.
Supporting a handheld core drill or SDS chipping out something at chest height or above is the application they’re really looking at for this, I think. If you’ve never been in a situation where you could’ve used this, good for you. Looks like a slick, but not perfect, system for everyone else who can use it.
Saulac
The Hilti looks unnecessary large. I am glad to see framers at large construction sites are already in full fall protection harness/hard hat all day. Advancing to full or partial exoskeleton will not be too difficult. With addictive fabrications, things will be lighter and more organic looking.
MFC
So, horizontal coring through concrete is the only application I could imagine, but any conscientious contractor is going to put PVC pipes through the wall, or foam, or something so they don’t have to do that…
JMDavis
That 37 pound rating is convenient. I seem to remember that being about the weight of the Hilty Sawzall I used a few years back.
Stuart
Sawzall or rotary hammer?
JMDavis
I was exaggerating slightly, though my experience with Hilty as an HVAC contractor 6-8 years ago was that their tools were unnecessary large and heavy for the level of power provided when compared to the Milwaukees I was used to.
My first thought when I saw the post was “Of course Hilty would be the one to make that.”
Blocky
Anything more than that is more weight than a person should be bearing on their body for extended periods. It’s very close to military pack weights and hospital lifting guidelines.
Miguel
Only practical use for this strange device is for when we backfill 15″ auger holes from installing Geolock Anchors. Except the TE3000 combined with the 8″ tamper bit is over the weight capacity so pretty useless imo.
William
This might be good for running Power-saw…I’d like to try one on