- Hyundai Motor and Kia launch Korean gross sales of the commercial wearable robotic X-ble Shoulder, with Korean Air as the primary buyer
- To be deployed in numerous plane meeting and upkeep websites, together with business and army plane, drones and satellite tv for pc launch autos
- Designed to cut back shoulder masses from overhead work, frequent in aviation upkeep
- Product deliveries to pre-order clients start, international growth focused for 2026
Hyundai Motor Firm and Kia Company formally launched their industrial wearable robotic, the X-ble Shoulder, within the Korean market with a handover ceremony for the primary unit to Korean Air on July 8. The occasion was held at Korean Air’s plane upkeep hangar in Incheon.
As the primary official buyer, Korean Air will deploy the wearable robotic throughout its aerospace division, together with meeting and upkeep operations for business airliners, army plane, city air mobility (UAM) autos, drones, stealth plane and satellite tv for pc launch methods.
“The X-ble Shoulder embodies the technological experience and collaboration of our staff,” stated Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia. “We purpose to increase its utility throughout numerous industries to assist forestall damage and enhance effectivity for staff.”
“We anticipate that staff’ well being and job satisfaction might be enhanced by the introduction of X-ble Shoulder,” stated Hyunboh Jung, Managing Vice President and Head of Aerostructure Enterprise Division at Korean Air. “We’re actively reviewing additional adoption to uphold the very best requirements in each plane manufacturing and upkeep security and high quality.”
Following this preliminary supply, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB plans to start broader distribution to pre-order clients, together with Hyundai Motor Group associates and home producers in Korea. Gross sales might be expanded to industries equivalent to building, shipbuilding and agriculture. Hyundai Motor and Kia additionally purpose to enter international markets beginning in 2026.
Designed to Cut back Shoulder Masses in Overhead Work
The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robotic machine developed in-house by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB. It’s designed to help upper-arm energy and alleviate shoulder masses throughout repetitive overhead duties—a typical posture in plane upkeep. By decreasing musculoskeletal masses, the machine helps decrease the danger of damage and fatigue, thereby enhancing productiveness.
A standout function of the X-ble Shoulder is its non-powered torque technology mechanism, which eliminates the necessity for batteries or charging. This retains the unit light-weight and straightforward to keep up whereas making certain uninterrupted operation. The robotic incorporates a muscle compensation module that gives assistive torque, decreasing shoulder joint masses by as much as 60% and anterior/lateral deltoid muscle exercise by as much as 30%.
In 2022, Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB started testing X-ble Shoulder prototypes at their international manufacturing websites to make sure sensible usability. Over 300 on-site staff participated in pilot trials, offering direct suggestions that led to additional refinement of the robotic’s know-how and ergonomics.
For product particulars and buy inquiries, please go to the Robotics LAB’s official web site or confer with the X-ble Shoulder unveiling press launch from November 2024.
Acknowledged Globally for Security and Design Excellence
Since its unveiling, the X-ble Shoulder has garnered recognition for each security and design in international markets. In February 2025, the robotic earned the ISO 13482 certification for private assistant robots from DNV (Det Norske Veritas), a globally acknowledged certification physique based mostly in Norway. This was adopted in Could by the EU Directive on equipment certification, affirming its mechanical security for industrial use in Europe.
By way of design, the product received within the Product – Business class on the 2025 iF Design Awards, one of many world’s prime three design competitions. It additionally obtained the GOOD DESIGN® Award within the Robotics class in 2024.
