Hong Kong (CNN) – A new trial of AI-powered robotic exoskeletons is making the arduous ascent of Mount Tai more accessible for Chinese tourists.
On January 29 - the first day of Chinese New Year - tourism officials in Shandong introduced the lightweight devices as part of a week-long trial. Over 200 visitors have tested the exoskeletons for a fee of 60 to 80 yuan per use.
Developed by Taishan Cultural Tourism Group in partnership with Shenzhen-based Kenqing Technology, the exoskeletons are designed to wrap around the wearers’ waists and thighs, weighing just 1.8 kilograms. Powered by AI algorithms that sense and synchronize with users’ movements, the device provides assistance to ease the strain on tired legs during the climb up Mount Tai—a 5,000-foot-high peak featuring more than 7,000 steps.
Each unit runs on two batteries, delivering about five hours of support—nearly matching the typical six-hour climb to the summit. “It really works! It felt like someone was pulling me uphill!” said Li Chengde, a 68-year-old tourist from Jinan who participated in the trial.
Local officials believe the technology could broaden access to the mountain for a variety of visitors, including the elderly, children, and those with limited mobility. “This can help more people hike up the mountain and enjoy the scenery of Mount Tai without it being too strenuous,” said Wang Houzhe, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group.
However, not all feedback has been entirely positive. A content creator, known only by the pseudonym Jacky, noted that while the device made the climb easier, it also created challenges. “The experience is definitely easier with the exoskeleton, but once I took it off, I felt clumsy walking on my own,” he said. Jacky also mentioned difficulties with routine tasks, such as tying shoelaces and using the restroom, and highlighted that the battery life could be improved. In response, officials indicated plans to extend battery performance and set up battery replacement stations along the trails.
Currently in beta testing, the exoskeletons are expected to be available to the mass market in early March, according to local authorities. The trial has also sparked broader discussions about the potential applications of robotic assistance in elderly care. With over 22% of China’s population aged 60 or above last year—a figure projected to reach 30% by 2035—the market for smart elderly care, estimated at 6.8 trillion yuan in 2024, is growing rapidly.
Kenqing Technology, which was founded in 2015, is also developing a version of the exoskeleton tailored for elderly users. This model, weighing 2.4 kilograms and priced at 17,000 yuan on Taobao, underscores the company’s ambition to tap into the expansive elderly care market.
As the trial continues at Mount Tai, both officials and developers remain optimistic that robotic exoskeletons could play a significant role in enhancing accessibility and enriching the tourism experience at one of China’s most iconic landmarks.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Senior officials from Azerbaijan and Armenia held a working meeting in Dilijan, Armenia, on 14 June to discuss issues related to the peace agenda betw...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and D...
The New York Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 to close out the series 4-1 and claim their first NBA championship since 1973, sparking celeb...
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconfer...
Tajikistan has strengthened its position as one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing economies. According to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the trend is supported by investment activity, industrial expansion and large-scale infrastructure projects.
In the runup to the G7 summit, hosted by France in Évian-les-Bains on Monday, 15 June, China has addressed global economic balances in a videoconference hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron. It is a rarity for Beijing to engage directly with the group.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 13 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Every June, roughly 13 million young people in China sit down at the same time to take the same test. They have been preparing for it, in many cases, since primary school. Their families have rearranged their lives around it.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The global race to develop quantum computing is accelerating, with governments and technology firms investing heavily in what is expected to become a major new computing era.
The Canadian government has introduced a digital safety bill that would ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, unless platforms meet specific safety standards.
NASA has named three American astronauts and one Italian astronaut to fly on its Artemis III mission, a major orbital test planned for late next year that will evaluate lunar landing vehicles developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin.
China will send an astronaut to its space station on Sunday for a one-year mission, the longest duration for the country so far. The mission will help study long-duration human physiology in space as China works toward a crewed Moon landing by 2030.
Anxiety over artificial intelligence is hardening among young workers as executives promote faster adoption and companies point to automation in fresh job cuts.
Hackers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to detect software vulnerabilities, reducing the time organisations have to respond to cyber threats, Verizon said in its annual data breach report.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment