Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) unveiled a robotic wearable shoulder and arm support designed to reduce fatigue and musculoskeletal injuries in manual workers, including production line staff at its vehicle plants.

The lightweight ‘X-ble Shoulder’ is designed to increase production line efficiency and reduce injuries, particularly during overhead work, by enhancing upper arm muscle strength. The company claims the device reduces shoulder load by 60% and muscle activity by 30%, adding “just by being worn, the device can increase workers’ efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries”.

HMG said it expects the X-ble Shoulder to find use in various industries, including within Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation manufacturing plants as well as in construction, shipbuilding, aviation and agriculture. “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”, the company added.

HMG said that following its domestic launch, it plans to gradually expand sales to overseas markets. The company said the X-ble Shoulder is the first of a planned line of X-ble products and “heralds a new era in wearable technology”. The company is also developing an industrial wearable robot ‘X-ble Waist’, which assists the waist when lifting heavy loads, and a medical wearable robot ‘X-ble Mex’ for the “rehabilitation of the walking impaired”.

Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia, explained further: “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.”