Hyundai and Kia have created what's being called a "reliable companion for industrial work", the wearable "X-ble Shoulder". But we're all thinking the same thing, right? Human-robot hybrids.
The X-ble Shoulder was shown at the recent Wearable Robot Tech Day, held at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang, near Seoul. The X-ble brand is a combination of "X" for infinite potential, and "able", indicating that anything can be realised.
The company claims the device can increase worker efficiency and reduce musculoskeletal injuries. It was developed by Hyundai Motor and Kia’s Robotics LAB.
It's designed for use in various industries, including construction, shipbuilding, aviation and agriculture, not just automobiles. Following its domestic launch, the companies plan to gradually expand sales to overseas markets.
In addition to the X-ble Shoulder, Hyundai/Kia plans to develop an industrial wearable robot X-ble Waist to assist the waist when lifting heavy loads, and a medical wearable robot X-ble MEX for the rehabilitation of the walking impaired.
The X-ble Shoulder can reduce shoulder load by up to 60% and anterior/lateral deltoid muscle activity by up to 30%.
It uses carbon composite material and wear-resistant material used in vehicles. Due to the product’s high strength and light weight, it can be used stably without difficulty even for long hours of work. Also, the parts that directly touch the user’s body are designed to protect against bodily injury that can occur in industrial sites by applying impact-resistant material used in the top part of the vehicle’s crash pad.
The company says the most signficiant feature of the X-ble Shoulder is that it generates assistive force through the "muscle compensation module" instead of the electric system, with non-powered torque generation. There is no need to charge separately and it can be used safely without a battery.
Assistive force is generated by a patented multi-link structure in the muscle compensation module. Each link in the multi-link can be adjusted for assistive force in various work environments.
The X-ble Shoulder weighs roughly 1.9kg and can be sized to fit the wearer. Its body length is adjustable between 406-446mm. It allows full arm movement through 180 degrees.
A pilot trial conducted from 2022-24 involved approximately 300 workers and health managers from Hyundai Motor and Kia plants.
