Robotics company FRT Robotics has unveiled a wearable robot that reduces musculoskeletal strain at industrial sites, strengthening its field-oriented technology competitiveness. The strategy is to extend adoption beyond industrial sites with repetitive work and heavy load handling into public safety sectors such as firefighting and policing.

FRT Robotics announced on the 4th that it presented its industrial exoskeleton 'StepUp NEO' at the recent "Everyone's Challenge ROBOT: Korea's First Government Demonstration & Procurement Project — Project Showcase and Meet-Up Day." The exhibition was held as part of the Super-Gap Startup Project (DIPS), supported by the KAIST Robotics Technology Commercialization Program.

'StepUp NEO' is a passive wearable robot that assists muscle strength during repetitive waist-bending and heavy load handling common in logistics, manufacturing, and construction. It distributes and transfers energy generated by the worker's own movement, reducing load on the lower back and joints and lowering work fatigue.

Field demonstrations confirmed an average 43% reduction in muscle fatigue and a 25% reduction in muscle exertion. According to the company, this reduces physical burden on workers while supporting sustained performance and productivity.

The product is built on a lightweight 3.6 kg structure that operates without a power source, minimizing burden during extended wear. It provides approximately 120 degrees of hip joint range of motion, allowing natural walking, turning, and stair movement, and can be adjusted to body type and work environment. A foldable frame structure improves both portability and storage convenience.

StepUp NEO has already been validated for field applicability through demonstrations across logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and nursing care. Requiring no electricity or charging, it is well suited to shift-based work environments and sites where equipment is shared among multiple workers.