Hyundai’s latest exoskeleton wearable robot wins Red Dot Design Award

Vest Exoskeleton

Hyundai’s latest exoskeleton wearable robot, Vest Exoskeleton (VEX), has won the Product Design category (Innovative Product field) at the 2020 Red Dot Design Awards.

VEX was developed in line with Hyundai’s commitment to the health and safety of its industrial workers. It is designed to prevent injuries while advancing the field of robotics, earning praise from the Red Dot Design Awards’ panel of judges.

The compact design is achieved using the latest technology that eliminates the need for a battery. VEX, which wears like a backpack, utilises a polycentric axis to provide a maximum force of 5.5 kgf - an astonishing achievement given it weighs only 2.8 kg.

VEX is designed primarily for production-line workers who need to work with their hands above their heads, usually on the underside of vehicles on the assembly line. VEX has already won the hearts of workers who have used it. Hyundai ran pilot programs in its U.S. plants, receiving positive feedback from the workers as it reduced fatigue in their arms and shoulders while boosting productivity and safety.

In addition to VEX, Hyundai is working on another lightweight wearable robot, Chairless Exoskeleton (CEX). With CEX, workers can easily maintain a sitting position without a stool or chair. Besides this, Hyundai unveiled Medical Exoskeleton, MEX. Building on these wearable robots, Hyundai plans to develop additional ones that will enhance productivity and work safety as well as support rehabilitation of injured patients.

Hyundai is considering implementing VEX in plants around the world. Hyundai Rotem will be in charge of the commercial production, expected to cost as much as 30 percent less than existing products.

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