Hyundai and Kia, both part of Hyundai Motor Company, are launching an exoskeleton aimed at industrial use: the X-ble Shoulder. The exoskeleton increases the wearer's efficiency and productivity while reducing the risk of muscle and joint injuries.
The X-ble Shoulder was introduced during Wearable Robot Tech Day in South Korea's Goyang. The device is part of a wider roll of exoskeletons being developed under the label 'X-ble'. X-ble thereby stands for unlimited ('x') possibilities ('able').
Reduce strain
X-ble Shoulder the upper arm muscles and prevents strain in tasks that workers perform above their capacity. The X-ble Shoulder reduces shoulder strain by 60% and deltoid strain by 30%. It is made of lightweight, strong materials such as carbon composite and impact-resistant fabrics. The vest is washable and is wearable over work clothes.
With the exoskeleton, Hyundai and Kia are targeting various industries, including automotive, shipbuilding, aviation and agriculture. The X-ble Shoulder is initially only available in South Korea, but will come to other countries over time.
Battery-free system
The system does not have batteries. Hyundai and Kia refer to it as a "mechanical system without batteries". It generates power through a patented multi-link structure that is adaptable to various working postures. The lack of batteries also contributes to the low weight of the device, the manufacturers report.
The X-ble Shoulder is available in two variants. The basic version offers up to 2.9 kilogram force (kgf) of support and is aimed at tasks that require varying postures. An adjustable version is also available, offering support up to 3.7 kgf. With this, the South Korean company targets repetitive tasks. Both versions weigh 1.9 kg.
Available in Europe from 2026
Hyundai and Kia are initially targeting applications in their own factories with the X-ble Shoulder. Commercial deliveries of the exoskeleton in South Korea are scheduled for next year. The parties also expect to deliver the X-ble Shoulder in Europe and North America from 2026.
Within the X-ble range, Hyundai and Kia are also developing other robots. These include the X-ble Waist (back support) and X-ble MEX (rehabilitation). Details about these robots are not yet known.
Author: Wouter Hoeffnagel
Image: Hyundai Motor Company
