Hyundai, Kia to Launch Wearable Robot 'X-ble Shoulder' Next Year
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have unveiled the "X-ble Shoulder," a wearable robot that aims to revolutionise industrial work by enhancing worker efficiency and safety. Unveiled at the Wearable Robot Tech Day at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, the device is the first in a line of wearable robots under the "X-ble" brand.
"The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robot that leverages the technical capabilities of the Robotics LAB and implements feedback from actual users," said Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia. “Going forward, we aim to expand the availability of wearable robots, creating products that work naturally with users to enhance their daily lives. By pushing technological boundaries, we will make these beneficial products accessible to more people.”
Specifically designed to assist with "overhead work," the X-ble Shoulder enhances the user's upper arm muscle strength, thereby reducing strain on the upper extremity musculoskeletal system. It promises to be a valuable asset in various industries such as construction, shipbuilding, aviation, and agriculture.
A key feature of the X-ble Shoulder is its ability to reduce shoulder load by up to 60% and anterior/lateral deltoid muscle activity by up to 30%, significantly improving worker comfort and well-being.
"When I first saw the wearable robot, I thought that it was a very simple design, focused mostly on functionality. I didn’t necessarily mean that in a positive way. On the production line, the work at hand is important, but so are the health and comfort of the workers," Chanhee Lee, Senior Manager at Hyundai Motor Company, commented on the initial design.
User safety was paramount in the development of the X-ble Shoulder. It incorporates high-strength, lightweight carbon composite material and wear-resistant material used in high-end vehicles, ensuring stability and durability even during extended work periods. Vehicle crash pads line the parts in contact with the user's body with impact-resistant material, providing protection against potential injuries.
The X-ble Shoulder's modular design, detachable and washable vest, and compatibility with standard work attire make it adaptable to diverse work environments.
"As we visited multiple sites, we put a lot of thought into how to improve the design. Rather than focusing on how to implement a variety of features, we decided to develop a product that would truly address the needs of the workers on site," said Jong Kyu Choi, Senior Research Engineer at Hyundai Motor Group.
The X-ble Shoulder distinguishes itself by employing a non-powered torque generation structure, meaning it doesn't require a battery or charging. A patented multi-link structure within the muscle compensation module generates assistive force, with each link adjustable to provide optimal support based on the work environment. This module is designed to withstand approximately 700,000 folding and unfolding actions annually in industrial settings.
The X-ble Shoulder is available in two versions:
The "basic" version, providing up to 2.9 kgf of assistive force, is ideal for tasks involving varying postures.
The "adjustable" version, offering up to 3.7 kgf of assistive force, is better suited for repetitive movements, allowing users to customise the angle for maximum torque based on their work posture.
Weighing approximately 1.9 kg and adjustable to fit different body sizes, the X-ble Shoulder allows for a full range of arm motion from 0 to 180 degrees without hindering work or rest activities.
User feedback played a crucial role in the development of the X-ble Shoulder. A pilot trial, conducted from 2022 to 2024, involved approximately 300 workers and health managers from Hyundai Motor and Kia plants. Their suggestions, including ease of use, comfort, unrestricted arm movement, adjustable assistive force, and easy cleaning, were incorporated into product improvements and new features.
"To improve the product, Robotics LAB observed and interviewed workers on-site and asked questions about breaks, movements outside of work, and other activities throughout their day," Hyeong Seob Kim, Manager at Kia, explained the process of gathering user feedback.
"To allow users to put on and take off the product easily, which was our core objective, we developed an accessible and intuitive mechanism with zippers, clips, and straps. Users can move freely even with the product on," said Kim Kyujung, Senior Research Engineer at Hyundai Motor Group.
“If you had developed X-ble Shoulder sooner, I wouldn’t have had to deal with all of this shoulder pain,” one worker who had spent over 30 years on the production line expressed. “He urged us to ship this product as soon as possible and give it to the younger workers first. Though it sounded like he was chastising us, we were moved by his comments,” recalled Kim JongWoo, Senior Research Engineer at Hyundai Motor Group.
"The workers lift these objects hundreds and sometimes thousands of times as if it is so easy, but I believe that they are enduring tremendous amounts of pain. I think Robotics LAB truly understood the issues that the workers dealt with and empathised with them," Lee Chanhee said.
Hyundai Motor and Kia's Robotics LAB plans to commercialise the X-ble Shoulder, initially implementing it in their production and maintenance departments. They aim to expand sales to Hyundai Motor Group's 27 affiliates and external companies from the mid-2020s, followed by a push into overseas markets, including Europe and North America, in 2026. The company also plans to extend sales to other industries like construction, shipbuilding, aviation, agriculture, and automobiles.
"Robotics LAB’s X-ble Shoulder is designed with one thing in mind. It’s the people. X-ble Shoulder aids workers by reducing the strength required to complete certain tasks, thereby reducing the risk of injury as well as fatigue and ultimately increasing productivity with job satisfaction. As a result, this product allows humans who work in a variety of environments to live healthier and safer lives. To allow humans to live more fulfilling lives, from their workplaces to their personal lives is our core mission here at Hyundai Motor Group Robotics LAB,” Dong Jin Hyun summarised the company's vision.
The X-ble Shoulder will be available for purchase in limited quantities exclusively for corporate customers. Companies can enquire about the technology through the Robotics LAB's official website. The Robotics LAB also offers "X-ble Shoulder Integrated Consulting" to assist companies in making data-driven decisions regarding the integration of the wearable robot into their operations. The consultation process encompasses a Process Analysis, which analyses muscle and joint load data during work, and a Process Suitability Evaluation, which uses specific indicators to assess the applicability of the X-ble Shoulder. Production and delivery are expected to commence in the first half of 2025 following the consultation.