[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] CJ Logistics announced on the 28th that it plans to soon deploy a wearable strength-assist suit, developed in collaboration with the robot startup Angel Robotics, to logistics sites. They have been consistently conducting field tests with prototypes and have already produced two improved versions.
The wearable suit reduces worker fatigue and prevents injuries. To enhance work efficiency, the company has been testing a personalized suit at the site since September last year. It functions as an assistive device that supports the worker’s strength during specific movements, enabling high effectiveness with less effort.
Muscle usage in key areas such as the waist and thighs decreased by more than 23%, and oxygen consumption dropped by over 15% compared to previous levels, alleviating fatigue. The most notable feature of the jointly developed wearable suit is that it does not require a separate power supply. This is because a specially designed spring operates in an exoskeleton form.
The prototype initially weighed 4.4 kg but was steadily reduced to 2.4 kg. The range of motion was expanded to allow free bending and twisting of the waist. The cable module that supports arm strength when lifting boxes can be attached or detached as needed. The overall size can be adjusted with a waist strap, and the fabric parts are detachable, reflecting feedback exchanged during the testing process.
Kim Kyung-hoon, head of the TES Logistics Technology Research Institute at CJ Logistics, said, "There was no customized suit that workers could easily wear and work comfortably at logistics sites. Since automation is difficult and tasks must be performed manually, we plan to expand the application of innovative technologies in the field to reduce the intensity of individual movements and enhance safety."
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