Hyundai's wearable robot VEX wins for innovation

SEOUL: Hyundai Motor Group’s latest exoskeleton wearable robot, Vest Exoskeleton (VEX), has won the Product Design category (Innovative Product field) at the Red Dot Design Awards, the prestigious international design competition, now in its 60th year.

VEX was 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 without the need for a battery. VEX, which wears like a backpack, uses a polycentric axis to provide a maximum force of 5.5 kgf— an impressive achievement given it weighs only 2.8kg.

VEX is designed for production-line workers who need to work with their hands above their heads, usually on the underside of vehicles on the assembly line.


Hyundai Motor Group ran pilot programmes in its US 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.

Hyundai also unveiled Medical Exoskeleton, MEX. Building on these wearable robots, Hyundai Motor Group plans to develop additional ones that will enhance productivity and work safety as well as support rehabilitation of injured patients.

The company 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.