TY - JOUR AB - Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new manipulator structure to configure power‐assist devices in order to protect the operator from suffering musculoskeletal disorders. The mechanical structure and the control system along with their main features are presented.Design/methodology/approach– The new structure was designed under the criterion of minimizing the torques required for handling payloads up to 75 kg as well as to configure a system to be controlled easily.Findings– A new structure based on electrical AC motors and capable of handling high payloads exerting low motor torque is provided.Originality/value– The paper describes how application of the criterion of minimizing the required torques to handle heavy payload produced a new manipulator structure. This structure is patent protected. VL - 37 IS - 5 SN - 0143-991X DO - 10.1108/01439911011063272 UR - https://doi.org/10.1108/01439911011063272 AU - Gonzalez de Santos Pablo AU - Garcia E. AU - Sarria Javier AU - Ponticelli Roberto AU - Reviejo Jesus PY - 2010 Y1 - 2010/01/01 TI - A new manipulator structure for power‐assist devices T2 - Industrial Robot: An International Journal PB - Emerald Group Publishing Limited SP - 452 EP - 458 Y2 - 2024/09/19 ER -