China's exoskeletons are leaving the factory and heading for your legs
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Exoskeleton robots are moving out of industrial settings and into everyday life in China, as companies begin selling powered wearable frames to consumers.
The devices, once limited to rehabilitation clinics and factory floors, are now being marketed for hiking, elderly care, and household use. An exoskeleton is a wearable frame with motors that assist the user's movements, adding strength or reducing strain on the body.
Chinese firms are pushing prices down and designs lighter, aiming to make the technology as common as e-bikes. Analysts say the shift marks a key step for a product long seen as experimental.
Challenges remain. Battery life is short, and regulators have yet to set clear safety standards for consumer use. Still, manufacturers report rising orders, betting that aging populations and outdoor sports will drive demand.