The rise of exoskeletons gives hikers a leg up
- Mabel Au-Yeung
- Jun 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 11
Towering 1,545 meters with 7,200 steps, Mount Tai in China’s Shandong Province has long tested hikers’ endurance. Now, AI-powered exoskeletons are making the fearsome climb more accessible.
Mount Tai meets AI
Mount Tai (Taishan) isn’t just a hike—it’s an iconic UNESCO World Heritage site, revered for its cultural significance and physically demanding terrain. For older hikers or those unaccustomed to rugged trails, the journey can be daunting. Enter Kenqing Technology’s π exoskeleton walking assist robot, developed with the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group—a sleek, lightweight, AI-powered device that has taken the media by storm.
During its launch over the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) period, the exoskeleton proved to be a game-changer. Users compared the experience to being “pulled uphill” and likened it to wearing “mechanical armour” straight out of a sci-fi movieWhile some users found the device lacked sufficient power and noted its inconvenience during bathroom breaks, its benefits for elderly and mobility-impaired visitors were undeniable. Over 200 hikers trialled the device for a rental fee of 60 to 80 yuan (US$8–11), marking a new era of assisted hiking.
Soon after, scenic destinations across China—including Shenzhen Safari Park, the Grand Canyon Scenic Spot in Hubei, and Wugong Mountain in Jiangxi Province—embraced the technology.
The exoskeletons making waves now
Kenqing Technology’s sports assist robot π (Shenzhen, China)
Developed in Shenzhen, this lightweight 1.8-kilogram exoskeleton combines ergonomics, power systems, electronics, and AI algorithms to enhance mobility. It detects lower-limb movement trends, reducing leg strain while improving cardiovascular balance. Featuring carbon fibre leg rods, a flexible waist design for various body types, and a quick-strap system, it helps to reduce leg strain with synchronised assistance and runs up to five hours on a single charge. The π exoskeleton is expected to be priced at no more than 10,000 yuan (US$1,380).
Hypershell’s X-Series exoskeletons (Shanghai, China)
Hypershell X-series exoskeletons gained global recognition after winning the Best of Innovation Award in robotics at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. Built for outdoor enthusiasts, these devices offer ultra-fast response times and a range of up to 17.5 kilometres. Lightweight and foldable, the X-series is perfect for hiking, running, and adventure. With three models priced between US$799 and US$1,499, Hypershell is setting new standards in accessible mobility tech, with global deliveries beginning in January 2025.
Skip’s MO/GO™ movewear (San Francisco, USA)
American startup Skip has introduced MO/GO™ powered pants, developed with Arc’teryx and recognised as one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Design for 2025. Inspired by mountain goats, these “e-bikes for hiking” provide a 40 per cent boost to quadriceps and hamstring muscles, offloading pressure from knee joints. The integrated battery delivers over three hours of continuous uphill assistance and recharges automatically on descents. With just three simple buttons—on/off, more assistance, less assistance—its minimalist interface ensures effortless use for hikers, seniors, and mobility-challenged users. Priced at US$5,000, the MO/GO™ pants are already sold out until summer 2026.
RoboCT EasyGo mechanical exoskeleton (Hangzhou, China)
The EasyGo exoskeleton is a 2.5-kilogram, battery-free device, powered purely by mechanical support. It reduces walking effort by 10 per cent, making activities like climbing stairs and long walks easier. Priced at 2,500 yuan (US$344), the EasyGo sold out within 15 seconds of its April 2025 online launch in China, with pre-orders stacking up for the next batch in May. RoboCT plans to introduce powered models in June, further expanding its range of wearable robotics.
Superpowers for everyday life
These exoskeletons aren’t just for hiking—they’re revolutionising mobility for millions. As the world’s population ages, mobility assistance will become increasingly crucial. By 2050, the number of people aged 60+ will double to 2.1 billion. Age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis, stroke, and muscle deterioration present major challenges, but wearable robotics like exoskeletons offer a new frontier in independence.
The International Monetary Fund’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook declared that the “70s are the new 50s”, highlighting advances in healthy ageing. Over the past two decades, global life expectancy has risen by 4½ years, and the number of years lived in good health has kept pace. Data from 41 countries shows that in 2022, a 70-year-old had the cognitive function of a 53-year-old in 2000—a monumental leap forward in ageing and vitality.
With exoskeletons offering support, endurance, and mobility enhancements, this technology could be key to keeping Silverithmics and ageing individuals active and empowered, reducing the need for invasive interventions like knee replacements. The future of mobility isn’t just innovative—it’s transformational.
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From fiction to reality
Since hanging up my running shoes due to bad knees, I have dreamed of strapping on exoskeleton gear—one that lets me run again or hike downhill without pain. Who wouldn’t want to suit up like Iron Man and turn back the clock without surgery? With AI-driven exoskeletons advancing faster than ever, that future is, hopefully, not far off.
Time to suit up— now all I need is one that best fits my needs, and I’m hitting the trails!
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