Hyundai Motor and Kia have announced the launch of an innovative wearable exoskeleton, the X-ble Shoulder, designed to assist workers in physically demanding industries by enhancing upper body strength and reducing strain during overhead tasks. This new product represents a significant advancement in wearable technology, aimed at improving both worker safety and efficiency.
The X-ble Shoulder is a lightweight, shoulder-worn industrial robot that helps the wearer exert more force with their arms while minimizing the physical strain typically associated with lifting and repetitive movements. Weighing just 1.9 kg, the device is made from materials commonly used in the high-end automotive industry, offering both durability and comfort.
The primary function of the X-ble Shoulder is to reduce the load placed on a worker’s shoulders by up to 60%, while also decreasing muscle activity in the deltoid muscles—key muscles in the shoulder—by up to 30%. This reduction in muscle strain is expected to lessen the risk of injury in industries where workers frequently perform overhead tasks, such as shipbuilding, construction, aviation, agriculture, and automotive manufacturing.
The device operates through a muscle compensation module that generates assistive force, helping to support workers as they engage in repetitive tasks. It has been designed to endure up to 700,000 folding and unfolding actions annually in industrial environments. After two years of testing at Hyundai and Kia’s manufacturing plants, the device has been refined and adjusted to meet the demands of various work settings.
Initially, the X-ble Shoulder will be deployed in Hyundai and Kia production facilities to assist their own workforce. Following this, the companies plan to expand its use across other Hyundai affiliates and third-party organizations within South Korea. International markets, particularly in Europe and North America, will be targeted for expansion starting in 2026.
The launch of the X-ble Shoulder marks the first product in Hyundai and Kia’s new line of wearable devices, branded as X-ble. The companies have announced plans to develop additional wearables under this range to further improve worker safety and productivity across different sectors.
As automation and robotics continue to play a larger role in manufacturing and other industries, the introduction of such wearable exoskeletons is seen as a critical step toward enhancing the physical well-being of workers and boosting efficiency in physically intensive jobs.
