SUSTech: Exoskeleton

2026: Product Announcement

In March 2026, engineers from Shenzhen () China introduced a robotic device inspired by the centaur image, which is designed to help a person carry heavy loads. The development of the exoskeleton belongs to a group of researchers from. Southern University of Science and Technology

In an article published in the International Journal of Robotics Research, experts presented the design in the form of two mechanical legs fixed behind the operator's back. The device follows the person and takes on the weight of the load, which allows you to reduce physical activity.

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Фото: futurism.com

During the experiments, scientists compared the effectiveness of the robot with the carrying of a regular backpack weighing 20 kg. The results confirmed that the use of the mechanism reduces the metabolic costs of the body, that is, it helps to save the porter's energy.

It is noted that the robot is able to adapt to changes in the speed and direction of human movement, and also retains stability when climbing stairs. Researchers see the benefit of their approach over the use of fully autonomous porter robots, such as robot dogs. The latter require a map of the area for navigation and can experience difficulties in unfamiliar and difficult environments.

In addition, the carrying capacity of autonomous machines is limited, and the delivery of heavy items significantly reduces their battery life, since the battery is quickly consumed.

The Shenzhen-based development addresses these problems by maintaining human control of movement. The robot serves as an auxiliary that optimizes weight distribution. The publication also states that the structure is able not only to carry the load, but also to provide the operator with additional impulse force when walking, creating a horizontal force of interaction in the sagittal plane.^[1]

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