83 FR 30700 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Analysis of Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance Data Collection

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 126 (June 29, 2018)

Page Range		30700-30701
FR Document		2018-14047

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 126 (Friday, June 29, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30700-30701]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14047]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Analysis of 
Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance Data Collection

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 28, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via the internet at 
[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Elizabeth Reinhart, NIST Management and Organization 
Office, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899; 301-975-8707; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Exoskeletons--sometimes called wearable robots--are a very rapidly 
expanding domain with a range of applications and a broad diversity of 
designs. NIST's Engineering Laboratory will be developing methods to 
evaluate performance of exoskeletons in two key areas (1) The fit and 
motion of the exoskeleton device with respect to the users' body and 
(2) The impact that using an exoskeleton has on the performance of 
users executing tasks that are representative of activities in 
industrial settings. The results of these experiments will inform 
future test method development at NIST, other organizations, and under 
the purview of the new American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) 
Committee F48 on Exoskeletons and Exosuits.
    For the first research topic, NIST will evaluate the usefulness of 
a NIST prototype apparatus for measuring the difference in performance 
of a person wearing an exoskeleton versus the person's baseline without 
the exoskeleton while positioning loads and tools. The NIST Position 
and Load Test Apparatus for Exoskelons (PoLoTAE), which presents 
abstractions of industrial task challenges, will be evaluated in this 
research.
    For the second research topic, NIST will evaluate a method for 
measuring the alignment of an exoskeleton to human joint (knee) and any 
relative movement between the exoskeleton and user. Measurement methods 
prototyped by NIST for evaluating exoskeleton on mannequin position and 
motion will be applied to human subjects to verify the usefulness of 
optical tracking system and designed artifacts worn by users as 
measurement methods.
    Participants will be chosen from volunteers within NIST and adult 
NIST visitors to participate in the study. Gender and size diversity 
will be sought in the population of participants. No personally 
identifiable information (PII) will be recorded unless subject consent 
for PII disclosure is received. NIST intends to publish information on 
the analysis and results.

II. Method of Collection

    Participants will give informed consent prior to participating in 
the research. Information may be collected via a paper background 
questionnaire which may include disclosure of health information which 
may be relevant for safety and research reasons. Data will be collected 
using a combination of heart rate monitor, and video and still cameras 
to collect time and subject activity to correlate heart rate with 
activity and an optical tracking system which detects markers. 
Participants will be asked to complete a paper survey once data is 
collected for the research.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0693-XXXX.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: New information collection.

[[Page 30701]]

    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 250.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 375 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.

IV. Request for Comments

    NIST invites comments on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-14047 Filed 6-28-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P

30700 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices

determination in a countervailing duty days after the date of the preliminary users’ body and (2) The impact that
investigation within 65 days after the determination. using an exoskeleton has on the
date on which Commerce initiated the This notice is issued and published performance of users executing tasks
investigation. However, section pursuant to section 703(c)(2) of the Act that are representative of activities in
703(c)(1) of the Act permits Commerce and 19 CFR 351.205(f)(l). industrial settings. The results of these
to postpone the preliminary Dated: June 20, 2018. experiments will inform future test
determination until no later than 130 Gary Taverman, method development at NIST, other
days after the date on which Commerce Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping organizations, and under the purview of
initiated the investigation if: (A) The and Countervailing Duty Operations, the new American Society for Testing
petitioner makes a timely request for a performing the non-exclusive functions and Materials (ASTM) Committee F48 on
postponement; or (B) Commerce duties of the Assistant Secretary for Exoskeletons and Exosuits.
concludes that the parties concerned are Enforcement and Compliance. For the first research topic, NIST will
cooperating, that the investigation is [FR Doc. 2018–13694 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am] evaluate the usefulness of a NIST
extraordinarily complicated, and that BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P prototype apparatus for measuring the
additional time is necessary to make a difference in performance of a person
preliminary determination. Under 19 wearing an exoskeleton versus the
CFR 351.205(e), the petitioner must DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE person’s baseline without the
submit a request for postponement 25 exoskeleton while positioning loads and
days or more before the scheduled date National Institute of Standards and tools. The NIST Position and Load Test
of the preliminary determination and Technology Apparatus for Exoskelons (PoLoTAE),
must state the reasons for the request. which presents abstractions of
Commerce will grant the request unless Proposed Information Collection; industrial task challenges, will be
it finds compelling reasons to deny the Comment Request; Analysis of evaluated in this research.
request. Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing
For the second research topic, NIST
On June 11, 2018, the petitioner, Human Performance Data Collection
will evaluate a method for measuring
Cambria Company LLC, submitted a AGENCY: National Institute of Standards the alignment of an exoskeleton to
timely request that we postpone the and Technology, Commerce. human joint (knee) and any relative
preliminary CVD determination ACTION: Notice. movement between the exoskeleton and
because: (1) Commerce was not able to user. Measurement methods prototyped
issue its respondent selection SUMMARY: The Department of by NIST for evaluating exoskeleton on
memorandum until June 8, 2018; and (2) Commerce, as part of its continuing mannequin position and motion will be
as a result, responses to the CVD effort to reduce paperwork and applied to human subjects to verify the
questionnaire are not due until July 16, respondent burden, invites the general usefulness of optical tracking system
2018 (i.e., after the statutory deadline for public and other Federal agencies to and designed artifacts worn by users as
the preliminary determination). take this opportunity to comment on measurement methods.
Moreover, the petitioner noted that, proposed and/or continuing information Participants will be chosen from
because Commerce just identified the collections, as required by the volunteers within NIST and adult NIST
mandatory respondents, it has only now Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. visitors to participate in the study.
begun its research to identify any DATES: Written comments must be Gender and size diversity will be sought
additional subsidy benefits not submitted on or before August 28, 2018. in the population of participants. No
addressed in the Petition. Accordingly, ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments personally identifiable information (PII)
the petitioner maintains that, because to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental will be recorded unless subject consent
this investigation is likely to be more Paperwork Clearance Officer, for PII disclosure is received. NIST
complicated than usual, additional time Department of Commerce, Room 6616, intends to publish information on the
is necessary to ensure that Commerce 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, analysis and results.
can conduct a full investigation Washington, DC 20230 (or via the
regarding the subsidy benefits received II. Method of Collection
internet at PRAcomments@doc.gov).
by Chinese producers and exporters of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Participants will give informed
quartz surface products.2 Requests for additional information or consent prior to participating in the
In accordance with 19 CFR copies of the information collection research. Information may be collected
351.205(e), the petitioner has stated the instrument and instructions should be via a paper background questionnaire
reasons for requesting a postponement directed to Elizabeth Reinhart, NIST which may include disclosure of health
of the preliminary determination, and Management and Organization Office, information which may be relevant for
Commerce finds no compelling reason 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD safety and research reasons. Data will be
to deny the request. Therefore, pursuant 20899; 301–975–8707; collected using a combination of heart
to section 703(c)(1)(A) of the Act, we are elizabeth.reinhart@nist.gov. rate monitor, and video and still
extending the due date for the cameras to collect time and subject
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
preliminary determination to no later activity to correlate heart rate with
than 130 days after the date on which I. Abstract activity and an optical tracking system
this investigation was initiated, i.e., to Exoskeletons—sometimes called which detects markers. Participants will
September 14, 2018. Pursuant to section wearable robots—are a very rapidly be asked to complete a paper survey
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

705(a)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR expanding domain with a range of once data is collected for the research.
351.210(b)(1), the deadline for the final applications and a broad diversity of
determination will continue to be 75 III. Data
designs. NIST’s Engineering Laboratory
will be developing methods to evaluate OMB Control Number: 0693–XXXX.
2 SeeLetter from the petitioner, ‘‘Certain Quartz
Surface Products from the People’s Republic of
performance of exoskeletons in two key Form Number(s): None.
China: Request to Postpone Preliminary areas (1) The fit and motion of the Type of Review: New information
Determination,’’ dated June 11, 2018. exoskeleton device with respect to the collection.

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 126 / Friday, June 29, 2018 / Notices 30701

Affected Public: Individuals or Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on research are to study the biology and
households. the Applications and Permits for ecology of these whale species by
Estimated Number of Respondents: Protected Species (APPS) home page, examining population dynamics,
250. https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then movement and habitat use patterns,
Estimated Time per Response: 1.5 selecting File No. 21485 from the list of molecular genetics, reproduction, aging,
hours. available applications. toxicology, foraging ecology, health,
Estimated Total Annual Burden These documents are also available entanglement, and other human
Hours: 375 hours. upon written request or by appointment interactions. The permit would be valid
Estimated Total Annual Cost to in the Permits and Conservation for five years.
Public: $0. Division, Office of Protected Resources, In compliance with the National
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
IV. Request for Comments
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
NIST invites comments on: (a) (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376. determination has been made that the
Whether the proposed collection of Written comments on this application activity proposed is categorically
information is necessary for the proper should be submitted to the Chief, excluded from the requirement to
performance of the functions of the Permits and Conservation Division, at prepare an environmental assessment or
agency, including whether the the address listed above. Comments may environmental impact statement.
information will have practical utility; also be submitted by facsimile to (301) Concurrent with the publication of
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate 713–0376, or by email to this notice in the Federal Register,
of the burden (including hours and cost) NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please NMFS is forwarding copies of the
of the proposed collection of include the File No. in the subject line application to the Marine Mammal
information; (c) ways to enhance the of the email comment. Commission and its Committee of
quality, utility, and clarity of the Those individuals requesting a public Scientific Advisors.
information to be collected; and (d) hearing should submit a written request Dated: June 25, 2018.
ways to minimize the burden of the to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
Amy Sloan,
collection of information on Division at the address listed above. The
respondents, including through the use Deputy Chief, Permits and Conservation
request should set forth the specific
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
of automated collection techniques or reasons why a hearing on this National Marine Fisheries Service.
other forms of information technology. application would be appropriate.
[FR Doc. 2018–13997 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am]
Comments submitted in response to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
this notice will be summarized and/or Carrie Hubard or Amy Hapeman, (301)
included in the request for OMB 427–8401.
approval of this information collection;
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
they also will become a matter of public
subject permit is requested under the
record. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
authority of the Marine Mammal
Sheleen Dumas, Protection Act of 1972, as amended Administration
Departmental Lead PRA Officer, Office of the (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the RIN 0648–XF530
Chief Information Officer. regulations governing the taking and
[FR Doc. 2018–14047 Filed 6–28–18; 8:45 am] importing of marine mammals (50 CFR Marine Mammals; File No. 21006
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
et seq.), and the regulations governing Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE the taking, importing, and exporting of Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
endangered and threatened species (50 Commerce.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric CFR parts 222–226). ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
Administration The applicant proposes to continue a permit amendment.
RIN 0648–XG288 long-term study of large whales in the
Western Atlantic Ocean. The focus of SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the research would be on humpback Linnea Pearson, California Polytechnic
Marine Mammals; File No. 21485
(Megaptera novaeangliae) and fin State University, 1 Grand Ave., San Luis
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries (Balaenoptera physalus) whales, but six Obispo, CA 93407, has applied for an
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and other whale species would be studied if amendment to Scientific Research
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), observed. Research would occur in three Permit No. 21006.
Commerce. study areas: (1) Gulf of Maine and DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. adjacent waters, (2) waters off U.S. mid- comments must be received on or before
Atlantic and southeastern states, and (3) July 30, 2018.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that humpback breeding grounds, including ADDRESSES: The application and related
Jooke Robbins, Ph.D., Center for Coastal U.S. waters off Puerto Rico. Research documents are available for review by
Studies, 5 Holway Avenue, would occur during vessel surveys and selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
Provincetown, MA 02657, has applied include photo-identification, Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
in due form for a permit to conduct photogrammetry, behavioral the Applications and Permits for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

research on cetaceans. observations, and sampling of exhaled Protected Species home page, https://
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email air, skin, blubber, and feces. An apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting
comments must be received on or before additional 11 species of small cetaceans, File No. 21006 from the list of available
July 30, 2018. two species of pinnipeds, and North applications.
ADDRESSES: The application and related Atlantic right whales (Eubalena These documents are also available
documents are available for review by glacialis) may be incidentally harassed upon written request or by appointment
selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public during research. The objectives of the in the Permits and Conservation

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Document Created: 2018-06-29 01:12:59
Document Modified: 2018-06-29 01:12:59

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written comments must be submitted on or before August 28, 2018.
Contact		Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Elizabeth Reinhart, NIST Management and Organization Office, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899; 301-975-8707; [email protected]
FR Citation		83 FR 30700

83 FR 30700 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Analysis of Exoskeleton-Use for Enhancing Human Performance Data Collection

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Institute of Standards and Technology

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 126 (June 29, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology