Wearable robot to increase worker efficiency, reduce injuries

Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. have unveiled the wearable robot X-ble Shoulder for industrial work. This device, just by being worn, can increase workers’ efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries.

The X-ble Shoulder is the first product in the X-ble line. When used in overhead work where the arm is raised, it can assist the user’s upper arm muscle strength and reduce the burden on the upper extremity musculoskeletal system.

Hyundai Motor and Kia anticipate the X-ble Shoulder will find use in various industries, including aviation. Following its domestic launch, the companies plan to gradually expand sales to overseas markets.

In addition to the X-ble Shoulder, Hyundai Motor and Kia plan to develop an industrial wearable robot, X-ble Waist, to assist the waist when lifting heavy loads, and a medical wearable robot, X-ble MEX, for walking rehabilitation.

“The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robot leveraging the technical capabilities of the Robotics LAB and implements feedback from actual users,” says 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’ll make these beneficial products accessible to more people.”

Enhancing worker safety and comfort with X-ble Shoulder

The X-ble Shoulder can reduce shoulder load up to 60% and anterior/lateral deltoid muscle activity up to 30%. It was designed with user safety as the top priority, featuring carbon composite and wear-resistant material. Due to the product’s high strength and light weight, it can be used stably without difficulty even for long hours of work. Also, the parts directly touching the user’s body are designed to protect against bodily injury that can occur in industrial sites by applying impact-resistant material.

The modular robotic components and the detachable, washable vest make the product easy to manage and adaptable to various work environments, as well as compatible with standard work attire across different industries.

The X-ble Shoulder generates assistive force through the muscle compensation module instead of the electric system with a non-powered torque generation structure. There’s no need to charge separately, making it convenient to maintain and manage, and it can be used lightly and safely without a battery.

The assistive force is generated by a patented multi-link structure in the muscle compensation module. Each link can be adjusted for optimal assistive force in various work environments. The module is expected to perform around 700,000 folding and unfolding actions yearly in industrial settings.

The X-ble Shoulder comes in basic and adjustable versions. The basic version is best for tasks where the posture is not fixed and offers up to 2.9kgf of assistive force. The adjustable version, suitable for tasks that repeat the same movement, allows users to set the angle for maximum torque based on their work posture, providing up to 3.7kgf of assistive force.

The X-ble Shoulder weighs roughly 1.9kg and can be sized to fit the wearer. Its body length is adjustable between 406mm and 446mm. It allows full arm movement from 0° to 180° without hindering work or rest activities.

Commercialization, expansion plans underway

The increase in congenital diseases and accidents is driving the demand for wearable robots in the medical and health care industry, followed by an increase in demand in the manufacturing and defense industry sectors. According to Mordor Intelligence, the Wearable Robots and Exoskeletons Market size is estimated at $2.55 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach $10.25 billion by 2029, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.05%.

The X-ble Shoulder, available in limited quantities, is exclusively for corporate customers. The Robotics LAB offers X-ble Shoulder Integrated Consulting, assisting companies in making data-driven decisions about introducing the wearable robot into their operations.

The consultation process includes Process Analysis, which involves analyzing data related to muscle and joint load during work, and Process Suitability Evaluation, which uses specific indicators to assess the suitability of applying the X-ble Shoulder. Post-consultation production and delivery is expected to begin in the first half of 2025.

Hyundai Motor Co.
https://www.hyundai.com

Kia Corp.
https://www.kia.com

Automation and AI for sustainable aircraft, manufacturing shop floors

PHOTO COURTESY OF JETZERO

Siemens will collaborate with sustainable aviation startup JetZero on development and production of JetZero’s blended wing aircraft. The company will leverage the Siemens Xcelerator open digital business platform to design, manufacture, and operate the aircraft, aiming to improve fuel efficiency by 50%, reduce noise, and contribute to zero carbon emissions by 2035.

JetZero also plans to build a new U.S. factory integrating Siemens’ automation hardware, software, and services to help it achieve the electrification, automation, and digitalization of the aircraft and its production. The blended wing aircraft and its associated manufacturing operations will be simulated using digital twins.

The collaboration was announced at CES 2025, where Siemens also introduced its Industrial Copilot for Operations, enabling artificial intelligence (AI) tasks to run as close as possible to machines. The suite of generative AI-powered assistants helps facilitate rapid, real-time decision making for shop floor operators and maintenance engineers, boosting productivity, operational efficiency, and minimizing downtime. The Siemens Industrial Copilot will be integrated with the Industrial Edge ecosystem, which has been enhanced with AI for deploying, operating, and managing AI models within the production environment.

JetZero
https://www.jetzero.aero

Siemens
https://www.siemens.com