Woman with Paraplegia Delivers Weather Forecast on Live TV

On December 3, viewers tuning into Korea's national news witnessed something they'd never seen before: a weathercaster with paraplegia standing to deliver the forecast.

Chae Soo-min made history that night, powered by X-ble MEX, a wearable robot developed by Hyundai's Robotics Lab. The 29-year-old dancer spent four months training at Asan Medical Center to prepare for her debut.

"I hope this challenge gives strength and hope to someone out there," Soo-min said. Her broadcast aired on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, proving technology can break barriers that once seemed unbreakable.

X-ble MEX wraps around the legs and pelvis like a lightweight exoskeleton, helping people with limited mobility stand, walk, turn, and climb stairs. The device earned Class III medical approval from Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in November 2025, clearing it for rehabilitation use with paralysis patients, stroke survivors, and others who can't walk independently.

The name reflects Hyundai's vision: "X-ble" combines the letter X (limitless possibilities) with "able" (new capabilities). MEX stands for Medical Exoskeleton.

Patients can wear the device while seated in a wheelchair, and its slim design makes it comfortable for extended rehabilitation sessions. Medical staff report it reduces their physical burden while giving patients real hope that walking might be possible again.

The Ripple Effect

Hyundai's robotics program reaches far beyond one inspiring broadcast. Since 2023, the company has donated X-ble MEX devices to Asan Medical Center, the National Rehabilitation Center, and the Armed Forces Capital Hospital.

Service members injured during military duty now use the robots for rehabilitation training that helps both physical recovery and emotional healing. Researchers studying lower-limb paralysis have new tools to develop better treatments.

"Our mission is to develop technologies that empower individuals to overcome physical limitations and experience transformative changes in their daily lives," said Dong Jin Hyun, Vice President of Hyundai's Robotics Lab. The company's "Progress for Humanity" vision drives its work toward a world where everyone can move freely.

A documentary following Soo-min's four-month preparation journey will air on KBS1TV on December 17. Her story proves that when technology meets determination, the impossible becomes possible.