Korean Air is set to roll out a cutting-edge “wearable robot” system across its aerospace division, signaling a major leap toward high-tech manufacturing and maintenance processes. The initiative is part of the airline’s broader strategy to boost productivity, reduce workplace injuries, and strengthen its competitiveness in the global aerospace market.
Developed in partnership with local robotics firms and Korean Air’s in-house engineering teams, the wearable robot—also known as an “exoskeleton”—supports workers by enhancing physical strength and reducing fatigue during repetitive or strenuous tasks, particularly in aircraft production and component assembly.
The exosuits are designed to assist with heavy lifting and overhead work, featuring motorized joints and adaptive sensors that respond to the user’s movements in real time. Initial testing at Korean Air’s Busan and Gimhae aerospace facilities showed a 30% increase in work efficiency and a significant decrease in musculoskeletal strain among technicians.
“Korean Air’s wearable robot program reflects our commitment to innovation and workforce safety,” the company said in a statement. “This technology will be a game changer not just in aerospace production but potentially across the broader aviation industry.”
The full deployment will begin in Q3 2025 and scale up through 2026, with Korean Air aiming to integrate the wearable robotics platform into aircraft structure manufacturing, engine component maintenance, and logistics handling operations.
As global aerospace firms increasingly embrace automation and smart technology, Korean Air’s move puts it at the forefront of a trend that blends human labor with robotic assistance—a future where man and machine work side-by-side for enhanced precision and performance.
