Hyundai and Kia build X-ble Shoulder wearable robot to assist with loads

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have partnered to create the “X-ble Shoulder”, a wearable robot designed to improve industrial efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries and fatigue.

The X-ble shoulder is designed to help workers performing overhead tasks – like a mechanic under a car – by increasing upper arm strength and endurance. It can reduce shoulder load by up to 60% and deltoid muscle tension by up to 30%.

The best part is that it is not an electrically powered system. It is a lightweight carbon composite “non-motorized torque generating structure” that weighs only about 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg). It generates assistive force through its multi-link “muscle compensation module” and therefore requires no loading. It is also durable, with a capacity to perform 700,000 repetitive folding and unfolding actions per year.

The vest easily detaches from mechanical components, making it easy to manage and clean and compatible with worker attire in many different industries.

There are two versions of the X-ble Shoulder: basic and adjustable. The former is designed for flexibility and provides up to 6.39 lbf (2.9 kgf) of assist force, while the latter is designed for repetitive tasks where workers repeat the same movement. The adjustable wearable exoskeleton can be adjusted for maximum torque, providing up to 8.16 lbf (3.7 kgf), meaning the robotic shoulder is capable of lifting just over 8 lb (3.7 kg) with minimal arm effort on the part of the worker.

The X-ble shoulder, according to Hyundai and Kia’s suggestion, could be used in a variety of industries ranging from construction, automotive and aviation to shipbuilding and agriculture. Anything that could use a little more strength and endurance from your arms would benefit.

The automaker’s partner duo says the market for wearable robots and exoskeletons is worth about $2.5 billion today and expects it to be closer to $10.25 billion by 2029.

The X-ble Shoulder will be used in the maintenance and production lines of Kia and Hyundai in the first half of 2025 before being marketed overseas by 2026.

The two companies are also working on other wearable robots called X-ble Waist to help lift heavy loads and reduce the risk of back and waist injuries, as well as the X-ble MEX, a medical robot intended to the rehabilitation of those who walk. altered.

Hyundai and Kia are not the first automakers to launch this type of technology. Audi, with help from Ottobock and Skelex, tested similar exoskeletons five years ago and we have yet to see this technology go mainstream. In fact, Hyundai also introduced an earlier version of its shoulder assist exoskeleton five years ago, called VEX, which used springs for assistance. The new X-ble Shoulder appears to be an updated version.

Hyundai owns about 34% of Kia and the partnership allows them to share technology while remaining two separate companies.

There is no price listed for the shoulder robot yet.

Source: Hyundai