Revolutionary underwater exoskeleton boosts diving effectivity

A analysis group led by Professor Wang Qining from the Faculty of Superior Manufacturing and Robotics, Peking College, has developed the world’s first moveable underwater exoskeleton system that assists divers’ knee motion, considerably lowering air consumption and muscle effort throughout dives.

The findings, revealed in IEEE Transactions on Robotics on October 14, 2025, open new prospects for enhancing human efficiency in underwater environments.

Challenges of underwater motion and exoskeleton adaptation

Overlaying 71% of Earth’s floor, the ocean is a key house for exploration and useful resource improvement. But, underwater motion requires rather more vitality than strolling on land, as divers should consistently overcome water resistance, limiting their endurance and operational vary. Whereas wearable exoskeletons have proven nice promise in lowering vitality use on land, adapting this expertise to underwater circumstances has lengthy been a problem attributable to distinct biomechanical and environmental constraints.

The research demonstrates that powered exoskeletons can improve the financial system of labor in excessive environments, extending their use past terrestrial purposes. By decreasing divers’ bodily burden and oxygen use, such methods may lengthen dive length, enhance security, and scale back fatigue, with potential purposes in marine analysis, underwater building, and diver coaching.

How the underwater exoskeleton works and its affect

The analysis group developed a bilateral cable-driven underwater knee exoskeleton that assists divers throughout the flutter kick. Utilizing movement sensors and force-based management, the system offers real-time assistive torque to the knees.

Exams with six skilled divers confirmed outstanding enhancements: After they wore the powered exoskeleton, their air consumption decreased by 22.7%, quadriceps activation by 20.9%, and calf activation by 20.6%, in comparison with regular diving with out the exoskeleton. The divers tailored effectively to the help, displaying pure motion patterns and improved vitality financial system.

Future prospects for underwater robotics

This breakthrough demonstrates the world’s first moveable underwater exoskeleton able to enhancing diving efficiency and lowering bodily pressure. Past its instant purposes in marine analysis and underwater operations, the system additionally presents new insights into diver coaching and biomechanics.

By extending wearable robotics into underwater environments, the research lays the muse for future assistive units that strengthen the connection between people and the ocean.