Airline Invests in Exosuit Tech to Protect Baggage Workers

Baggage handlers lift thousands of pounds every shift, and now one of the world's largest airline groups wants to help protect their bodies with wearable robotics.

International Airlines Group (IAG) just invested in Verve Motion, a startup developing lightweight exosuits that reduce physical strain during repetitive lifting tasks. The partnership will trial aviation-specific exosuits designed to support baggage handlers' shoulders as they move luggage and cargo.

Founded in 2020 by Spanish entrepreneur Ignacio Galiana, Verve Motion builds on research from Harvard University. The company's exosuits are already helping workers in warehouses and factories stay comfortable and injury-free during manual handling tasks.

IAG made the investment through IAGi Ventures, its innovation arm focused on solving real operational challenges. The airline group was joined by other investors including HexArmor, a global leader in protective equipment, helping Verve Motion raise over $55 million total.

The pilot program will start with shoulder support for baggage handlers, exploring how the technology performs in live airport environments. If successful, the exosuits could expand across ground and cargo operations throughout IAG's airlines.

"Verve Motion is exactly the kind of company we want to back," said Nacho Tovar, IAG's Group Innovation Director. "The team has developed a compelling solution with clear potential for aviation."

The Ripple Effect

This partnership represents more than just new equipment. It signals a shift in how the aviation industry thinks about protecting workers who perform some of the most physically demanding jobs in any sector.

Verve Motion's exosuits don't replace human workers or automate jobs away. Instead, they amplify human capability, making challenging work more sustainable over the long term.

"Baggage handlers perform some of the most physically demanding work in any industry," said Galiana. "IAG's commitment to their wellbeing and safety is exactly why this partnership is so important."

The technology could prevent countless injuries while helping experienced handlers extend their careers. Workers gain protection, airlines gain efficiency, and the industry moves toward safer operations without sacrificing the human expertise that keeps flights running smoothly.

As Verve Motion scales, the exosuits could become as common as hard hats and safety vests. The future of worker protection might not be about doing less, but about supporting people to do more safely.