[Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem]
A wearable robot uses motors and sensors to detect the movements of limbs and joints. Robotic limbs boost strength and speed and can be used in factories and construction sites. Some countries develop wearable robots for military use.
Live-line work, also known as hotline maintenance, is used by power companies to avoid electricity cuts during maintenance and reduce operating costs. For indirect live-line work, workers create a bypass circuit using special rod-like equipment. The indirect live-line work technique lowers the risk of electrocution but it requires more physical labor as workers have to hold up the insulated rod.
Hyundai Rotem said in a statement on June 4 that the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) to develop a wearable robot that can be attached to the upper body of a worker and enhance the strength of arms, shoulders, and the back. They will modify a robot developed by Hyundai Rotem.
"We hope to diversify our technologies and products through cooperation in the development of wearable robots for electrical engineers," an unnamed Hyundai Rotem official was quoted as saying. Hyundai Rotem has started the commercialization of vest-type and chair-type wearable robots that were demonstrated at industrial sites.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
