In a significant advancement for elderly care in China, RoboCT, a startup based in Hangzhou, has developed a cyborg-like exoskeleton walking assistance device designed specifically to support the mobility of seniors.

As the nation faces a rapidly increasing elderly population, this innovation anticipates addressing the growing demand for mobility aids in the silver economy.

The new device, which is set to launch at the end of March, is priced at approximately 2,000 yuan (around 276 U.S. dollars).

It allows users to counterbalance the weight equivalent to five bottles of water with each leg lift, alleviating the strain associated with walking.

RoboCT's engineers focused their design on alleviating issues observed in many elderly individuals, such as walking with bent backs, taking smaller steps, and the frequent use of waist braces in care facilities.

Yan Hai, the product director at RoboCT, explained that the device provides assistance with hip flexion and stabilizes the lumbar spine, enabling seniors to walk with increased stride length, pace, and stability.

The device weighs just 2 kg and operates on principles inspired by tendon mechanics.

Importantly, it is battery-free and captures some of the energy generated by the user's movements, releasing it to facilitate walking motions.

Yan further noted that the exoskeleton provides support not only for seniors but can also assist physically fit individuals, offering up to 30 percent additional support when worn.

With the anticipated growth of China's exoskeleton technology in eldercare, the country has witnessed advancements in essential areas, including ergonomic design, motion recognition, and self-learning AI technology.

The demographic trend of an aging population is becoming increasingly pronounced in China, with projections indicating that by the end of 2024, there will be approximately 310 million people aged 60 and above, making up about 22 percent of the total population.

This demographic shift has led to heightened mobility challenges and a significant demand for rehabilitative services, contributing to an annual shortage of rehabilitation therapy professionals.

The silver economy in China, currently valued at 7 trillion yuan, is anticipated to grow continuously, with projections estimating it will reach approximately 30 trillion yuan by 2035. In response to these trends, a growing number of Chinese enterprises are actively developing technologies aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the elderly, leveraging innovations in artificial intelligence and robotics.

Under the auspices of a strategic Chinese initiative, the International Electrotechnical Commission has recently introduced a global standard specifically for elderly-care robots, further underscoring the sector's expansion.

RoboCT is also planning to introduce customized versions of their walking assistance device tailored for hemiplegic patients and those with spinal cord injuries, demonstrating a commitment to addressing specific mobility challenges faced by various user groups.

Designed for ease of use, RoboCT's device can be donned in under 20 seconds and does not require integration with smartphone applications, emphasizing the company's focus on making technology accessible to the elderly population.