Hyundai, Kia Deliver First Wearable Robot to Korean Air: The X-ble Shoulder Revolutionizes Work

Intermediate | July 25, 2025

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A New Era of Workplace Support

Hyundai Kia Wearable Robot Innovation Takes Flight

On July 8, 2025, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation, through their Robotics Lab, made a significant delivery: their first Hyundai Kia wearable robot, the ‘X-ble Shoulder’, to Korean Air. This special ceremony took place at Korean Air’s aircraft maintenance facility in Incheon. This marks the very first commercial use of this innovative device, which is designed to help workers by easing physical effort and reducing stress on muscles and bones, especially when they perform tasks above their heads, like in aircraft maintenance.

How the X-ble Shoulder Transforms Work

The X-ble Shoulder is a truly clever invention. It’s a lightweight exoskeleton that doesn’t need to be charged because it’s “unpowered.” It uses a smart system that creates support without electricity, making it easy to use and maintain. Its muscle support system is impressive: it can lower the pressure on shoulder joints and decrease the activity of shoulder muscles (called deltoid muscles) by a lot – up to 60% in the front and 30% on the sides! This amazing technology aims to stop long-term injuries and make workers safer and more productive.

Expanding the Reach of Robotics

Korean Air Leads the Way

Korean Air is the very first official customer for the X-ble Shoulder. They plan to use this robot widely across their Aerospace Business Division. This includes maintaining various types of aircraft, from commercial and military planes to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), space launch vehicles, drones, and even urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles. This shows how versatile and impactful the X-ble Shoulder is expected to be in a demanding industry.

From Development to Global Plans

The journey of the X-ble Shoulder began with prototype testing in 2022, and over 300 field workers provided valuable feedback to perfect its design. This dedication to user experience paid off. The wearable robot has earned important certifications like ISO 13482 from DNV and EU machinery certification. It has also received prestigious awards: the 2025 iF Design Award and the 2024 GOOD DESIGN Award. After this first delivery, Hyundai Motor and Kia are ready to send out full-scale deliveries to other clients already under contract, including companies connected to Hyundai Motor Group and other South Korean manufacturers. Looking ahead, they plan to expand distribution into fields like construction, shipbuilding, and agriculture, with international sales set to begin in 2026.

Vocabulary

wearable (adjective): Able to be worn on the body.
*Example: “Smartwatches are popular wearable technology.”
alleviate (verb): To make suffering, deficiency, or a problem less severe.
*Example: “The new medicine helped to alleviate his pain.”
musculoskeletal (adjective): Relating to or denoting the muscles and skeleton.
*Example: “Heavy lifting can cause musculoskeletal injuries.”
exoskeleton (noun): A rigid external covering for the body in some invertebrate animals, or a supportive framework worn on the body.
*Example: “Scientists are developing exoskeletons to help people with paralysis walk.”
torque (noun): A twisting force that tends to cause rotation.
*Example: “The mechanic used a special wrench to apply the correct torque to the bolt.”
deltoid muscles (plural noun): The large triangular muscles covering the shoulder joint.
*Example: “Weightlifters often have strong deltoid muscles.”
productivity (noun): The rate at which a company or country produces goods or services.
*Example: “New software can increase office productivity.”
deployment (noun): The action of bringing resources into effective action.
*Example: “The deployment of new safety procedures improved working conditions.”
ergonomics (noun): The study of people’s efficiency in their working environment.
*Example: “Good office chair ergonomics can prevent back pain.”
affiliates (plural noun): A person or organization officially attached to a larger body.
*Example: “Many small companies are affiliates of larger corporations.”

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What is the main purpose of the X-ble Shoulder robot, and which companies are involved in its initial commercial use?
How does the X-ble Shoulder work without needing to be charged? What are its key benefits for workers?
Which specific parts of Korean Air’s operations will utilize the X-ble Shoulder, and for what types of vehicles?
What kind of feedback was important during the development of the X-ble Shoulder, and what awards has it received?
What are Hyundai Motor and Kia’s plans for the future distribution and international sales of the X-ble Shoulder?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

How do you think wearable robots like the X-ble Shoulder could change the future of work in physically demanding jobs?
What are some other industries, besides those mentioned, that could benefit from similar exoskeleton technology?
Do you think workers would easily adapt to using wearable robots, or might there be challenges? Why?
What are the potential ethical considerations or societal impacts of increasingly relying on robotic assistance in the workplace?
If you could design a wearable robot to help with a daily task, what would it do and why?

Related Idiom

Ease the burden
Meaning: To make a difficult or unpleasant task or situation less hard to bear.
Example: “The new robot will truly ease the burden on maintenance workers by reducing physical strain.”

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This article was inspired by: Pulse by Maeil Business, July 23, 2025.