Hyundai Motor and Kia Ease Farmers' Burden with 'X-BL Shoulder'

Signing of MOU for the Advancement of Agriculture Based on Wearable Robots

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors are joining forces with the Rural Development Administration to create a future agricultural environment that protects the health of farmers and improves work efficiency through wearable robots.

On the 23rd, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Rural Development Administration at the Uiwang Research Center for the "Development of Wearable Robot-Based Agriculture and the Creation of Social Value."

Yang Heewon, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors R&D Division (left), is taking a commemorative photo after signing a memorandum of understanding with Lee Seungdon, Administrator of the Rural Development Administration, on the development of wearable robot-based agriculture and the creation of social value at the Uiwang Research Center in Gyeonggi on the 23rd. Hyundai Motor Company

Prior to the agreement, Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Robotics Lab had already verified the effectiveness of the wearable robot "X-BL Shoulder" in reducing shoulder strain and increasing work efficiency for operators through demonstration projects with the Rural Development Administration in May and September of this year. The X-BL Shoulder, independently developed by the Robotics Lab, is a non-powered wearable robot that assists shoulder muscle strength.

This agreement is based on the results of previous demonstration projects and aims to expand the deployment of the X-BL Shoulder in agricultural settings to improve farmers' health and strengthen the efficiency of agricultural work. Both parties plan to pursue specific collaborative projects, including: establishing a cooperative system for the introduction of wearable robots in agriculture; verifying and expanding the application of wearable robots in agricultural sites; and promoting awareness of wearable robots among agricultural workers.

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors will apply the X-BL Shoulder to various agricultural sectors to verify its effectiveness and develop utilization strategies tailored to agricultural environments, thereby laying the foundation for the widespread adoption of wearable robots. The Rural Development Administration will cooperate in the on-site demonstration and usability evaluation of the X-BL Shoulder. The demonstration process will be produced into various types of content to support the spread of wearable robots.

An agricultural worker is operating while wearing the 'X-BL Shoulder' developed by Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Robotics Lab. Hyundai Motor Company

Yang Heewon, President and Head of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors R&D Division, said, "Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors are advancing wearable robot technology that can be utilized in various industrial sites to provide better working environments for operators. Based on this collaboration, we will take the lead in protecting the shoulder health of farmers and creating a sustainable future agricultural environment."

Lee Seungdon, Administrator of the Rural Development Administration, stated, "Enhancing safety and efficiency in the agricultural field is a key task for the future of agriculture. Through our collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors, we will support farmers to work in a healthier and safer manner and actively promote the improvement of technology-based agricultural environments."