On-farm trial opportunity to reduce physical strain from manual tasks

ExxoLift on-farm trial opportunity

Express your interest in taking part in a new on-farm pilot project to trial ExxoLift™ – a wearable assistive solution designed to reduce physical strain during manual tasks.

Exxovantage®, in partnership with Hort Innovation Frontiers, is inviting growers to express interest in trialling ExxoLift™, as part of the ExxoLift On Farm Trial Pilot (AS25201) project.

What is involved?

The product

ExxoLift™ is a lightweight, wearable exosuit worn like a backpack that supports workers’ backs during physically demanding bending, reaching, lifting and twisting tasks such as:

• Picking / Packing / Stacking
• Logistics / palletisation / loading / unloading
• Nursery / Husbandry / Pruning

It is designed to reduce strain on the body without restricting movement, helping workers reduce fatigue, stay safe and be more productive across a range of on‑farm activities.

The trial

Selected growers will have the opportunity to:

• participate in an on-farm pilot to test the ExxoLift™ solution
• gain an on-site AI wearable sensor task risk assessment analysis for all workers included
• trial the technology across multiple day to day tasks on their farm
• provide practical feedback to help assess safety, wellbeing and productivity outcomes.

Are there any costs involved?

A small co-funding contribution is required from participating growers, with the majority of project costs supported through Hort Innovation Frontiers.

Growers keep the ExxoLift™ exosuits at the end of the trial.

What are the expected outcomes?

Preliminary results from early applications have shown significant reductions in movement‑related injury risks of up to 64%, along with improvements in worker comfort and overall wellbeing, and worker productivity increases. This project aims to further validate these benefits in real commercial horticulture settings.

How long is the trial period?

It’s expected to go for 2-3 months. Start dates will be confirmed with successful applicants.

Who should express interest?

This opportunity is suitable for growers who:

• rely on manual labour for repetitive or physically demanding tasks
• are interested in improving worker safety and wellbeing
• are open to trialling new practical solutions on‑farm

How to express your interest

Register your interest in joining the pilot here, or email scott@exxovantage.com

Need more information?

Read more about the project on the Hort Innovation website

This article appears as part of the 19 June 2026 issue of Guacamole, our e-Newsletter.