Insider Brief
- Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have officially launched their industrial wearable robot, the X-ble Shoulder, in Korea, with Korean Air receiving the first unit for use in aerospace manufacturing and maintenance operations.
- Designed to reduce shoulder strain during repetitive overhead tasks, the X-ble Shoulder features a battery-free torque compensation mechanism that lowers muscle activity and joint load, enhancing worker safety and productivity across aircraft and industrial sectors.
- Hyundai and Kia plan to expand distribution to pre-order customers and industries such as construction and agriculture, with global sales targeted for 2026, following safety and design accolades including ISO 13482 certification and multiple international design awards.
PRESS RELEASE — Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation officially launched their industrial wearable robot, the X-ble Shoulder, in the Korean market with a handover ceremony for the first unit to Korean Air on July 8. The event was held at Korean Air’s aircraft maintenance hangar in Incheon.
As the first official customer, Korean Air will deploy the wearable robot across its aerospace division, including assembly and maintenance operations for commercial airliners, military aircraft, urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles, drones, stealth aircraft and satellite launch systems.
“The X-ble Shoulder embodies the technological expertise and collaboration of our employees. We aim to expand its application across various industries to help prevent injury and improve efficiency for workers.” – Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia
“We anticipate that workers’ health and job satisfaction will be enhanced through the introduction of X-ble Shoulder. We are actively reviewing further adoption to uphold the highest standards in both aircraft manufacturing and maintenance safety and quality.” – Hyunboh Jung, Managing Vice President and Head of Aerostructure Business Department at Korean Air.
Following this initial delivery, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB plans to begin broader distribution to pre-order customers, including Hyundai Motor Group affiliates and domestic manufacturers in Korea. Sales will be expanded to industries such as construction, shipbuilding and agriculture. Hyundai Motor and Kia also aim to enter global markets starting in 2026.
Designed to Reduce Shoulder Loads in Overhead Work
The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robotic device developed in-house by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB. It is designed to assist upper-arm strength and alleviate shoulder loads during repetitive overhead tasks—a common posture in aircraft maintenance. By reducing musculoskeletal loads, the device helps minimize the risk of injury and fatigue, thereby enhancing productivity.
A standout feature of the X-ble Shoulder is its non-powered torque generation mechanism, which eliminates the need for batteries or charging. This keeps the unit lightweight and easy to maintain while ensuring uninterrupted operation. The robot incorporates a muscle compensation module that provides assistive torque, reducing shoulder joint loads by up to 60% and anterior/lateral deltoid muscle activity by up to 30%.
In 2022, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB began testing X-ble Shoulder prototypes at their global production sites to ensure practical usability. Over 300 on-site workers participated in pilot trials, providing direct feedback that led to further refinement of the robot’s technology and ergonomics.
