Special arm on Hyundai car assembly line

(Dan Tri) - This robotic arm weighs only 1.9kg, can reduce the load on the shoulder by up to 60%, helping to increase the efficiency of the car assembly line.

Developed by Hyundai and Kia's Robotics Lab, the X-ble Shoulder is designed to actively support workers who have to raise their arms for long periods of time, reducing shoulder load by up to 60%.

This new robotic arm aims to reduce injuries for workers performing strenuous overhead work, especially beneficial for mechanics who spend much of their day bending over or working under vehicles.

The robotic arm is said to help reduce the physical burden on workers on car assembly lines (Photo: Hyundai).

For anatomy buffs, this device also reduces anterior and lateral deltoid activation by up to 30%. In other words, it's a literal and figurative lift.

What’s really impressive here is the mechanical compensation module that controls the X-ble robot’s shoulder. This smart tech device can perform up to 700,000 fold and stretch operations per year, so it’s designed to be durable, not just a one-off task.

The X-ble Shoulder weighs just 1.9kg, thanks to its carbon fibre composite construction. It's light, adjustable and designed to fit without feeling like a sling.

The basic version provides up to 2.9kgf (28.4N) of support, making it best suited for tasks that aren’t static, while the adjustable version offers 3.7kgf (36.3N) of support for workers who need a little more muscle.

The X-ble Shoulder device won’t be limited to the automotive industry alone. Hyundai says it’s also suitable for industries such as construction, shipbuilding, aviation, and agriculture.

Special arm on Hyundai car assembly line (Video: Hyundai).

The wearable robot market could be worth up to $10.25 billion by 2029, and Hyundai and Kia's Robotics Labs are eager to tap into the opportunity.

The X-ble Shoulder is expected to go on sale in Korea in the first half of 2025, before being available globally. There is no information on pricing yet.

Hyundai isn't stopping at shoulder support robots either. The South Korean conglomerate is working on the X-ble Waist, which can help with heavy lifting and reduce back injuries, as well as the X-ble MEX, which is designed to help people with mobility impairments rehabilitate.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/o-to-xe-may/canh-tay-dac-biet-tren-day-chuyen-lap-rap-xe-hyundai-20241203104714398.htm