Hyundai’s latest innovation bears a striking resemblance to something straight from the pages of an Iron Man film. Hyundai and Kia have introduced innovative wearable robotic technology aimed at boosting energy levels while reducing accidents, marking a significant milestone in their quest to revolutionize personal safety. The inaugural installment of the innovative “X-ble Shoulder” collection has launched for preview in Korea, with shipments scheduled to arrive in the first half of 2025. For those residing within the United States and Europe, rest assured. After a successful domestic rollout, Hyundai is poised to take its cutting-edge technology global.
At a recent “Wearable Robotic Tech Day,” Hyundai and Kia surprised attendees by unveiling their latest innovation for the first time.
Introducing the cutting-edge X-Ble Shoulder, a pioneering innovation in wearable robotic technology that revolutionizes workplace safety and efficiency by empowering employees to work smarter, not harder. By introducing this feature, Hyundai claims that drivers will experience a significant reduction in shoulder strain of up to 60% and muscle fatigue by 30%.
By leveraging the X-Ble Shoulder during overhead tasks, such as working beneath a vehicle, workers can efficiently engage their upper arm muscles while reducing stress on the musculoskeletal system.
“The X-bile Shoulder is a wearable robot developed by the Robotics LAB at Hyundai and Kia, which utilizes cutting-edge technology and incorporates user feedback,” said Dong Jin Hyun, head of the lab.
The product will be available in both a basic and customizable version. The Essential is engineered to provide up to approximately 6.4 pounds (2.9 kilograms) of supplementary support and propulsion in situations where increased mobility is required.
Designed to streamline repetitive tasks, this versatile mannequin allows for precise positioning to optimize torque, providing up to approximately 8.1 pounds (3.7 kilograms) of assistive force.
Hyundai Motor Group unveils pioneering wearable robotic technology in collaboration with South Korea’s leading robotics company, Doosan Corporation. The innovative system enables users to control robots remotely using a specially designed smartwatch. This groundbreaking technology has the potential to revolutionize industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and logistics, by allowing humans to interact with machines more seamlessly and efficiently.
Hyundai announced that its cutting-edge technology has a wide range of applications across multiple sectors, including automotive, aviation, agricultural, construction, logistics, and shipbuilding industries.
Home-based corporations can now inquire about and schedule sessions through Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Lab website. The Robotics Laboratory will initially supply its innovative, cutting-edge wearable robotic shoulder technology to Hyundai and Kia’s respective manufacturing facilities.
By 2025, Hyundai Motor Group’s innovative capabilities will be extended to 27 affiliates and companies across various sectors, including construction and shipbuilding. Shipments are slated for the first half of 2025.
Hyundai intends to bring its innovative wearable robotics technology to international markets, including the United States and Europe, by 2026. The corporation has announced that the launch date will be contingent upon domestic box office revenues.
The company is poised to unveil its inaugural offering in a pioneering series of wearable robotics technology. The X-ble branding successfully merges the concept of “X,” representing boundless possibility, with “ready,” implying a sense of feasibility and approachability.
Hyundai is expanding its innovative technology portfolio by introducing the “X-ble Waist,” a feature that assists users when lifting heavy objects, complementing the existing X-ble Shoulder functionality. The Robotics Lab aims to introduce a medical wearable robot, the X-BLE MEX, designed to assist in walking rehabilitation.
According to industry predictions, the Wearable Robots and Exoskeletons Market is forecasted to reach a significant milestone of $10.25 billion by 2029, representing a substantial increase from its estimated value of $2.55 billion in 2024. Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Laboratory seems determined to maintain its position as a industry leader.
