Wearable Robots Protect the Backs of Elderly Farmers

A 'wearable robot' has arrived at a vineyard in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province. Farmers are donning the wearable robot to perform bagging and harvesting tasks that require raising their arms. As this technology makes its way into an aging farming community, it is reducing farmers' shoulder and back pain while easing their physical burden.

A wearable robot is a mechanical device worn directly on the body that assists with physically demanding movements. It is designed to reduce the strain caused by repeated motions or prolonged postures. It is an unpowered system requiring no electricity, operating only when force is applied, and weighs 1.9 kg including the vest.

Kim Jong-woo, head of Hyundai Motor's Robotics Business Team, said, "Many of our Hyundai and Kia employees have spent 25 to 30 years doing overhead work, holding tools above their heads. We looked for practical ways that robotics technology could help these workers."

The wearable robot has been piloted at grape, apple, and pear farms. Pilot results showed an average 33% reduction in shoulder muscle usage, demonstrating its potential to relieve fatigue and prevent musculoskeletal disorders.