Hyundai channels its inner Iron Man with new wearable robot ‘X-ble Shoulder’ tech
Hyundai’s latest creation looks like something straight out of an Iron Man movie. Designed to boost strength and reduce injuries, Hyundai and Kia unveiled the new wearable robot tech for the first time. The first of a new series, “X-ble Shoulder,” is now available for consultation in Korea, with deliveries planned for the first half of 2025. For those in the US and Europe, don’t worry. Following its domestic launch, Hyundai plans to introduce its newest innovation overseas.
Hyundai and Kia stunned the crowd this week when they introduced the new creation for the first time at their “Wearable Robot Tech Day.”
The first of a new series of wearable robot technology, the so-called “X-ble Shoulder,” can increase worker efficiency while limiting injuries. Just by wearing it, Hyundai said it can reduce shoulder load by 60% and muscle activity by 30%.
When used for overhead work, like under the vehicle, the X-ble Shoulder can increase workers’ upper arm muscle strength while reducing strain on the musculoskeletal system.
“The X-ble Shoulder is a wearable robot that leverages the technical capabilities of the Robotics LAB and implements feedback from actual users,” Dong Jin Hyun,” head of Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Lab, explained at the event.
It will be offered in two versions: basic and adjustable. The basic is designed for situations where more movement is involved, offering up to roughly 6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) of assistive force.
Built for repetitive tasks, the adjustable model enables you to set up an angle for maximum torque, providing up to about 8.1 lbs (3.7 kg) of assistance.
Hyundai and Kia introduce wearable robot tech
Hyundai said the new tech has a wide range of uses in auto, aviation, agriculture, construction, logistics, shipbuilding, and other industries.
Interested domestic companies can already inquire and receive a consultation through Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Lab website. The Robotics Lab will first supply the new wearable robot shoulder to Hyundai and Kia’s production divisions.
In 2025, the new technology will be expanded to 27 Hyundai Motor Group affiliates and companies in other fields, such as constriction and shipbuilding. Deliveries are scheduled for the first half of 2025.
Hyundai plans to introduce the new wearable robot tech to overseas markets, including the US and Europe, in 2026. The company said the launch date will be based on domestic sales.
It will be the first of a new product lineup of wearable robots. The X-ble branding combines “X,” which symbolizes limitless potential, with “able,” suggesting anything is possible.
In addition to the X-ble Shoulder, Hyundai is developing the “X-ble Waist,” designed to help when lifting heavy loads. The Robotics Lab also aims to launch a medical wearable robot, “X-ble MEX,” to assist with walking rehabilitation.
According to Motor Intelligence, the Wearable Robots and Exoskeletons Market is expected to reach $10.25 billion by 2029, up from just $2.55 billion in 2024. Hyundai and Kia’s Robotics Lab looks to secure its spot as an industry leader.
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If you’re considering going electric, May will be a great time to score a deal on an EV lease. Automakers are slashing lease prices on some of the most popular EVs to move inventory – here are four standouts.
Nissan Ariya SUV
The Nissan Ariya SUV has an MSRP of $41,805. Its lease term is 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing and a mileage allowance of 10,000 a year. Monthly payment? A sweet $129!
Nissan cut the 2025 Ariya Engage’s price by $144 in April, so it now has an effective monthly cost of $251 – that’s seriously affordable for an electric SUV. If you’re already a Nissan driver, then you’re going to get an even better deal, because Nissan is offering a $1,000 loyalty discount on the Ariya, which brings its effective cost down to $224 per month.
CarsDirect, which sniffed out this deal, thinks this Ariya deal will be in place until Memorial Day, so take advantage of tariff-free pricing while you can.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Nissan Ariya in stock. –trusted affiliate copy
Honda Prologue SUV
The Honda Prologue SUV has an MSRP of $48,850. Its lease term is 36 months, with $1,399 due at signing and a mileage allowance of 10,000 a year. The monthly payment on the Prologue is $239.
The 2024 Honda Prologue has up to $18,800 in rebates, and the price includes a $1,000 lease loyalty discount or conquest offer. In California and other ZEV states, the EX has an effective cost of just $278 per month; in other parts of the US, pricing will be around $30 higher. This offer ends July 7.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Honda Prologue in stock. –trusted affiliate copy
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 has an MSRP of $43,880. Its best lease term is 24 months, with $1,044 due at signing and a mileage allowance of 10,000 a year. The monthly payment on the Model 3 is $349.
The 2025 Tesla Model 3 still has the $7,500 federal government EV rebate. Several months ago, Tesla reduced the amount due at signing on all Model 3s. And for those who want to lease a Long Range Model 3, the effective cost can be as low as $393 per month.
You can lease the Model 3 for 36 months, but the folks at CarsDirect found that the better deal will be had on 24-month leases. They compared the Model 3’s MSRP to the 2025 Lexus IS 300 F Sport’s MSRP, which is nearly identical, and the Model 3 was around 30% cheaper to lease.
Acura ZDX
The 2024 Acura ZDX has an MSRP of $65,850. Its best lease term is 36 months, with $4,699 due at signing and a mileage allowance of 7,500 a year. The monthly payment on the ZDX is $299.
The 2024 ZDX is Acura’s cheapest vehicle to lease because it features up to $29,450 in lease cash. However, the best deal is limited to California and ZEV states. If you cash in on a loyalty discount or conquest cash, the effective cost is $430 per month. This offer runs til June 30.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Acura ZDX in stock. –trusted affiliate copy
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Ford (F) reported its first-quarter earnings, beating Wall Street’s revenue and EPS expectations. However, with Trump’s auto tariffs, Ford is suspending full-year guidance. Here’s a breakdown of Ford’s Q1 2025 earnings
Ford Q1 2025 earnings preview
After crosstown rival General Motors cut its full-year financial guidance last week, investors are waiting to see if Ford will follow suit.
Ford’s previous 2025 forecast called for EBIT of $7 billion to $8.5 billion and capital expenditures between $8 billion and $9 billion.
The biggest threat is Trump’s new auto tariffs, which include a 25% duty on imported vehicles and many parts. Since Ford builds a greater percentage of vehicles in the US than any other major automaker, outside of Tesla, it isn’t expected to see as big of an impact.
CEO Jim Farley called it “an opportunity for Ford,” during an interview with CNN last week, saying the company has a “different footprint, a different exposure for tariffs.”
Ford imports around 21% of the vehicles it sells in the US, while GM imports around 46%. According to Estimize, Wall St expects Ford to post Q1 EPS of $0.0 on revenue of $38.02 billion.
The company reports earnings for each of its three business units, Ford Blue (gas-powered vehicles), Model e (electric vehicles), and Ford Pro (commercial and software business).
In the fourth quarter, Ford’s EV unit (Model e) lost another $1.4 billion while Pro and Blue each reported an adjusted EBIT of $1.6 billion.
Financial breakdown
Ford beat Wall Street estimates, reporting first-quarter revenue of $40.7 billion with an adjusted EPS of 0.49.
- Q1 2025 Revenue: $40.7 billion vs $38.02 billion expected.
- Q1 2025 Adjusted EPS: $0.49 vs $0.0 expected.
The company posted adjusted EBIT of $1 billion, down 63% from Q1 2024. Ford said its first-quarter EBIT suffered a nearly $200 million hit from added tariff costs, primarily in Ford Blue and Ford Pro.
Ford Pro generated an EBIT of $1.3 billion, Ford Blue $96 million, and Ford Model e reported an EBIT loss of $849 million.
For Model e, the company is focused on improving gross margins and “exercising a disciplined approach to investments in battery facilities and next-generation products.” Although still a nearly $1 billion loss, it’s still a $500 million improvement from Q1 2024.
Ford said higher Model e revenue was driven by new EVs launching in Europe, like the electric Explorer and Capri.
The company said its “Power Promise” promotion, which includes a free home charger and several other benefits, has helped drive demand in the US.
Although it’s tracking within its previous full-year adjusted EBIT guidance of between $7 billion and $8.5 billion, Ford is suspending full-year guidance due to the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.
Ford estimates the full-year gross cost of tariffs to be around $2.5 billion. It expects a tariff-related net adverse adjusted EBIT impact of about $1.5 billion for the full year 2025.
Ford also extended its “From America, For America” campaign last week. The promo includes employee pricing on most 2024 and 2025 models and now runs through July 4.
Check back for more info from Ford’s first quarter conference call. Ford is also hosting its annual meeting on Thursday, May 8, where we should learn more about its EV plans and how it will navigate the new tariffs.
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