Hyundai Engineering & Construction is introducing an industrial wearable robot to construction sites to ease the physical burden on workers.
Hyundai E&C (000720) said on the 29th that it had become the first in the construction industry to introduce the industrial wearable robot "X-ble Shoulder" for interior carpentry work at the "The H Class:t" site in Seocho-gu, Seoul. The X-ble Shoulder is a product developed in-house by the Hyundai Motor and Kia Robotics Lab.
Ceiling work in interior carpentry is a process in which workers repeatedly install and fasten materials with their arms raised above their heads for extended periods. Due to the nature of the work, continuous strain develops in the shoulders and arms. As fatigue accumulates, it can also affect work concentration and postural stability.
The X-ble Shoulder is a robot that supports upper-arm strength when workers raise their arms to work. It is designed as a powerless system that generates force through a mechanical structure without a motor or battery. Being lightweight and requiring no charging, it is convenient to maintain and manage.
It creates assistive force by applying a strength-compensation module that transfers the elastic energy of springs into rotational force. This can reduce the load on the worker's shoulder joint and the activation of the anterior and lateral deltoid muscles by up to 60% and 30%, respectively. The shoulder joint range of motion is implemented at 0 to 180 degrees, allowing both arms to move freely even while wearing the device.
A site worker who actually wore the device while working said, "When I spend long periods working with my arms raised, fatigue builds up quickly in my shoulders and arms, but wearing the X-ble Shoulder requires less effort." He added, "It is convenient to use on site because it can be used without significantly changing the existing work method."
Hyundai E&C expects the device to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders and improve work efficiency. Going forward, it plans to expand the scope of use to processes involving frequent overhead work, such as upper-facility installation, ceiling painting and wallpapering.
