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Diving remains one of the most physically demanding tasks in marine operations. Whether for research, construction, or security missions, human divers must constantly fight water resistance, burning energy and consuming air far faster than they would on land. This limits endurance, reduces safety margins, and restricts how long a diver can remain operational.
A new development from researchers at Peking University offers a potential shift in how divers work. The team has created the world’s first portable underwater exoskeleton designed specifically to support knee movement during fin swimming. Rather than attempting to replace human effort, the system provides targeted assistance to the flutter kick — the main propulsion technique used underwater.
According to Interesting Engineering, the device uses a bilateral, cable-driven design that delivers real-time torque to the legs. Integrated motion sensors and force-based control algorithms adjust the assistance based on each diver’s natural movement, ensuring the system adapts rather than disrupts the user’s technique. In tests with six experienced divers, the exoskeleton delivered notable improvements: air consumption dropped by 22.7%, and muscle activation in the quadriceps and calves decreased by more than 20%. Despite the mechanical support, divers continued to move naturally, indicating that the system integrates smoothly with human biomechanics.
Beyond easing physical strain, the technology could have significant implications for underwater security and defense operations, where divers routinely perform hazardous and time-sensitive tasks. Reducing fatigue and conserving air can extend the duration of missions such as hull inspections, mine clearance, underwater repairs, or special operations. Longer operational windows translate directly into improved safety and greater tactical flexibility.
The exoskeleton’s design also provides a new tool for studying underwater movement. By measuring how divers interact with mechanical assistance, researchers can gain insight into optimal propulsion techniques and refine training methods. This makes the system useful not only for field operations but also for shaping future diver preparation.
Previous attempts at underwater exoskeletons focused on biologically inspired swimming enhancements, but this is the first device to demonstrate measurable efficiency gains in real dives. The research opens the door to a new category of aquatic wearable robotics — built not just to make diving easier, but to make underwater operations more sustainable, safer, and more effective.
