VEX (Vest EXoskeleton)

2019: Announcement

At the beginning of September, 2019 Hyundai Motor provided an exoskeleton which facilitates work when it is necessary to hold long hands lifted over the head. In such pose the staff of the automobile service centers often works.

The robotic vest which received the name VEX (Vest EXoskeleton) is supplied with several polycentric hinges and drafts.  The exoskeleton imitates a shoulder joint of the person, significantly reducing load of muscles and also increases lifting force and increases mobility of workers on production facilities. At the same time a system works without accumulators.

Hyundai provided the exoskeleton facilitating car repairs

As reported in the press release, the mass of VEX is 2.5 kg that is 22-42% less in comparison with the competing solutions. The exoskeleton is put on as a normal backpack: the user passes hands throughout shoulder loops of a vest, and then tightens belts and zone fasteners.

Height of a back part it is adaptive it is configured in the range up to 18 cm that allows to wear a vest to people of different growth, and for power support it is possible to select one of six levels up to 5.5 kgfs.

VEX increases an allowable load for workers and allows to work with ease, providing additional support of hands in provision over the head — the head of department of robotics in Hyundai Motor Group DongJin Hyun says. — Workers will also appreciate ease and convenience of work with VEX.

Hyundai calculates that the new exoskeleton will be in demand on automobile pipelines where workers run the most part of time with the raised hands — for example, fasten parts on the body bottom, lay brake hoses and fixes exhaust pipes. 

The beginning of serial production of VEX is planned for the end of 2019. It is expected that its price of the device will be 30% lower than the existing similar products which cost averages about $5 thousand^[1]

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