The Engineer Who Researched Wearable Robots Rises as the Core of Hyundai Motor’s Robotics Business

[Korea Financial Times, Kim JaeHun] Chairman Chung Eui-sun of Hyundai Motor Group has identified “robotics” as a future growth business. Going beyond the automotive industry, he has unveiled a blueprint for a future mobility world where humans and robots coexist.

Hyun Dong-jin, Head of the Robotics LAB at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation, is cited as the key figure to realize Chairman Chung’s robotics philosophy. As the group’s chief robotics officer, Hyun is steadily drawing the blueprint for a future robot society—not only developing robot technology, but also advancing software and commercialization.

Born in 1987, Hyun Dong-jin is considered the “young blood” of Hyundai Motor Group. He graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in mechanical engineering, earned a master’s from the University of Michigan, a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, and conducted postdoctoral research at MIT before joining Hyundai Motor Company. According to a Hyundai Motor official, “The robotics philosophy envisioned by Chairman Chung Eui-sun aligns closely with Hyun Dong-jin’s own research into ‘robots for people.’”

Hyun began his Hyundai Motor career at the Human Convenience Research Team at the Uiwang Central Research Institute. He then served as Head of Convergence Technology Development, Head of Robot Platform Team, and since 2018 has led the Robotics LAB, a direct report to Chairman Chung, under the Strategic Technology Headquarters.

The Robotics LAB is the dedicated organization for Hyundai Motor and Kia’s robotics research. It develops not only robots for automotive production, but also wearable robots, service robots, and small mobility robots across various fields. The LAB also covers robot software, AI, and future mobility technologies necessary to realize a robot society.

Hyundai Motor Group recently filed for the “Robotics LAB” trademark in China, covering six categories: machinery, scientific instruments, medical devices, transportation, advertising/sales, and construction/repair. This signals an intention to expand the robotics business into all areas of society, not just development.

A product that best embodies Hyun Dong-jin’s philosophy is the wearable robot “X-ble Shoulder,” launched in 2024. This wearable robot reduces musculoskeletal strain and enhances safety and efficiency for field workers. Hyun is also developing the “X-ble Waist,” which supports the lower back during lifting, and the “X-ble MEX,” aimed at rehabilitation for those with walking difficulties.

At the unveiling of X-ble Shoulder, Hyun stated, “The X-ble Shoulder project began in 2018 with feedback from workers at Hyundai Motor’s Alabama plant. We were able to perfect the product by continuously incorporating field feedback during development and performance improvement.”

He added, “Wearable robots are not meant to replace people, but to work alongside them. We plan to expand the product lineup so more people can benefit from wearable robotics.”

Hyun Dong-jin is also responsible for collaboration with Boston Dynamics, another pillar of Hyundai Motor Group’s robotics business. Hyun first came into the public eye in 2020, when Hyundai Motor Group announced its acquisition of Boston Dynamics.

Boston Dynamics is a global robotics manufacturer acquired by Chairman Chung Eui-sun to secure future robot manufacturing technology. While Boston Dynamics focuses on humanoid and articulated robots, the Robotics LAB is advancing related software and AI technologies in collaboration.

Hyun Dong-jin’s vision for the future of robotics was showcased on June 18 at the “MARS 2025” artificial intelligence expo held at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul.

At the event, the Robotics LAB presented innovative robotics technologies that combine AI and robotics, and proposed various service solutions based on total robotics solutions.

One of the most notable exhibits was a safety management solution integrating Boston Dynamics’ flagship robot “SPOT,” equipped with an autonomous driving module, and an intelligent CCTV system.

With AI-powered video analysis, the intelligent CCTV enables SPOT to autonomously perceive its surroundings, granting it even higher intelligence.

Other future robotics solutions unveiled by the Robotics LAB included the “on-device VLM,” which converts camera-recognized information into human language; the facial recognition system “Facey”; the AI-based delivery robot “DAL-e Delivery”; the service guide robot “DAL-e”; and the robot control system “NARCHON.”

Hyun Dong-jin stated, “The Robotics LAB provides services in various spaces such as business sites, offices, and hospitals by utilizing robot-based AI software technology. We are striving to deliver a comprehensive customer experience that transcends boundaries by applying AI software technology not only to robots but also to buildings and infrastructure.”

Kim JaeHun (rlqm93@fntimes.com)