Imagine tackling China’s notoriously challenging mountain hikes while feeling 30% less exhaustion. That’s the promise of exoskeleton technology now being tested at some of China’s most famous peaks, including Huangshan, Taishan, Huashan, and Lushan. These lightweight robotic frames, initially developed for elderly care and medical rehabilitation, are finding an unexpected second life in the tourism industry.
During the 2025 Spring Festival, Shenzhen-based company Kenqi Technology deployed their exoskeletons at Taishan scenic area, drawing crowds of curious onlookers. The devices work by attaching to hikers’ legs through several connection points, using sensors to detect movement and then delivering mechanical assistance to key muscle groups at precisely the right moments.
Test users at Huangshan—known as “the most extraordinary mountain under heaven” with its infamously steep steps—reported feeling significantly less strain during ascents, describing the experience as “much easier” while wearing the devices.
Would you try it?
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