Hyundai Rotem and Korea Electric Power Corporation Join Hands to Develop Wearable Robots... Reducing Worker Muscle Fatigue

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] Hyundai Rotem and Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) are embarking on research and development (R&D) of wearable robots for workers in the power sector.

On the 4th, Hyundai Rotem announced that on the 3rd, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KEPCO at KEPCO's Power Research Institute located in Daejeon to collaborate on the "Development of Robots for Safety and Strength Enhancement of Workers in the Power Sector."

Through this MOU, Hyundai Rotem and KEPCO will jointly conduct R&D and review demonstration and commercialization of wearable robots for workers in the power sector. They also agreed to explore applying Hyundai Rotem’s existing wearable robot technology to wearable robots for power sector workers and to cooperate on educational efforts such as seminars to cultivate talent in related fields.

On the 3rd, Song Ki-wook, Director of the Convergence Project Research Institute at KEPCO Power Research Institute, and Ahn Kyung-soo, Head of Defense Solution Business Division at Hyundai Rotem (right), are taking a commemorative photo at KEPCO Power Research Institute located in Daejeon.

The wearable robots to be jointly developed by Hyundai Rotem and KEPCO aim to reduce fatigue experienced by power sector workers during indirect live-line work.

Indirect live-line work refers to a method where workers ride a live-line work vehicle and perform distribution pole work using a long insulated stick. Compared to direct live-line work, where workers wear insulated gloves and work by hand, this method is safer with less risk of electric shock. However, workers must hold the insulated stick for extended periods while looking up at the wires, which causes physical fatigue.

Once the wearable robot for power sector workers is developed, it will assist the upper body strength of workers’ arms and shoulders, making it easier to lift the insulated stick. This is expected to reduce muscular fatigue during indirect live-line work and improve work efficiency.

Hyundai Rotem expects this agreement to further strengthen its technological competitiveness in the wearable robot sector. Since 2019, Hyundai Rotem has developed the 'VEX (Vest Exoskeleton),' a vest-type wearable robot for workers performing overhead tasks, and the 'CEX (Chairless Exoskeleton),' a chair-type wearable robot. These products have been delivered to industrial sites domestically and internationally, proving their practicality. VEX and CEX are currently preparing for initial mass production.

A Hyundai Rotem official said, "We expect that the R&D on wearable robots for power sector workers will strengthen the foundation for related technologies and diversify our product lineup. We will strive to achieve good results through cooperation with KEPCO."