Hyundai Motor, Kia Deliver Wearable Robot to Korean Air

Seoul, South Korea - Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation delivered their X-ble Shoulder wearable robot to Korean Air during a July 8 ceremony at the airline’s Incheon maintenance facility, the companies said.

The device, according to the manufacturers, will assist workers in supporting aircraft assembly and maintenance operations for commercial and military aircraft, drones, and satellite launch vehicles across Korean Air’s sites.

The X-ble Shoulder operates without batteries using a non-powered torque generation mechanism. The device weighs less than battery-powered alternatives and requires no charging, the companies stated.

Hyundai Motor and Kia began testing prototypes at their production sites in 2022. More than 300 workers participated in trials that informed design modifications.

The automakers plan to supply pre-ordered units to Hyundai Motor Group affiliates and Korean manufacturers.

Distribution will expand to the construction, shipbuilding, and agriculture sectors, with international sales set to begin in 2026.

The device received ISO 13482 certification from DNV in February 2025 and EU machinery certification in May 2025.

It won the iF Design Award in the Product-Industry category in 2025 and the GOOD DESIGN Award in the Robotics category in 2024.

Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President and Head of Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor and Kia, said the companies aim to expand the device across industries to prevent worker injury and improve efficiency.

Hyunboh Jung, Managing Vice President at Korean Air’s Aerostructure Business Department, stated that the airline anticipates enhanced worker health and job satisfaction from the technology and is reviewing its broader implementation.

Korean Air operates aerospace division activities, including commercial airliners, military aircraft, urban air mobility vehicles, drones, stealth aircraft, and satellite launch systems.

The companies developed the X-ble Shoulder in-house at their Robotics Lab division to address repetitive overhead tasks in daily aircraft maintenance work.