- X-ble Shoulder is the first wearable robot to be KS-certified by the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA)
- Certification marks the first time a wearable robot's quality has been nationally recognized, setting a new industry standard
- Hyundai Motor Group to focus on developing practical robotics technology for global industrial sites
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) announced today that its X-ble Shoulder industrial wearable robot has obtained the Korea Industrial Standards (KS) certification from the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement (KIRIA).
The X-ble Shoulder, designed to reduce shoulder joint load for industrial workers, is the first in its category to receive this certification, setting a new quality standard for industrial wearable robots in Korea.
“The X-ble Shoulder is now leading the safety and quality standards for industrial wearable robots in Korea through its KS certification. We will continue to focus on developing products that enhance the practicality of our robot technology and can contribute to global industrial sites.” – Likoon Choi, Vice President and Head of Robotics Business Group at Hyundai Motor Group
What Is the Significance of This KS Certification?
KS certification is a national system that guarantees products and services conform to set Korea standards. The process is managed by institutions designated by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS), with KIRIA overseeing the robotics sector to ensure the safety and reliability of advanced robot products.
This certification is highly significant as it is the first time the quality of a wearable robot has been certified by a nationally recognized standard within Korea’s domestic robotics industry. This officially acknowledges the X-ble Shoulder as a product that meets high safety and quality benchmarks.
What Are the Key Features of the X-ble Shoulder?
The X-ble Shoulder is designed with a non-powered torque-generating structure, making it not only lightweight but also convenient to maintain, as it does not require charging.
By applying a torque generator module, it generates assistive force that can reduce the load on a worker’s shoulder joint by up to 60 percent and the activity of the anterior and lateral deltoid muscles by up to 30 percent.
The X-ble Shoulder has also been widely recognized for its product safety globally. In February 2025, it received the ‘ISO 13482’ certification for safety from DNV (Det Norske Veritas), the European Union’s integrated certification body based in Norway. This was followed in May of the same year by the European Union’s ‘Machinery Directive’ certification, confirming its mechanical safety for industrial use in Europe.
How Is Hyundai Motor Group Advancing Its X-ble Robotics Technology?
Hyundai Motor Group is continuously pursuing the development and commercialization of its human-centered ‘X-ble’ robotics technology series. The X-ble Shoulder is already being applied in various domestic industrial sites, including major Hyundai Motor Group affiliates, Korean Air and the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail). The business scope for the technology is also expanding, following a business agreement signed in 2025 with the Korean Rural Development Administration.
Development is also underway for other wearable robots:
- The X-ble Waist is being developed to reduce the burden on workers who handle heavy materials in industrial environments.
- The X-ble MEX, a medical wearable robot that assists with the mobility of patients with lower-limb paralysis, is undergoing research and development for use in rehabilitation and medical fields.
