Innovative underwater exoskeleton improves diving efficiency

A research team led by Professor Wang Qingning from Peking University’s School of Advanced Manufacturing Robotics has developed the world’s first portable underwater exoskeleton system that assists divers in knee movement and significantly reduces air consumption and muscle strength during diving.

The findings, published in IEEE Transactions on Robotics on October 14, 2025, open new possibilities for improving human performance in underwater environments.

Challenges of underwater locomotion and exoskeleton adaptation

Occupying 71% of Earth’s surface, the ocean is an important space for exploration and resource development. However, moving underwater requires much more energy than walking on land, as divers must constantly overcome water resistance, which limits their endurance and range of movement. Wearable exoskeletons hold great promise for reducing energy usage on land, but adapting this technology to underwater conditions has been a long-standing challenge due to distinct biomechanical and environmental constraints.

This study demonstrates that powered exoskeletons can increase the economics of labor in extreme environments and expand their applications beyond terrestrial applications. Such systems have the potential to extend dive time, improve safety, and reduce fatigue by reducing physical strain and oxygen usage on divers, and have potential applications in marine research, underwater construction, and diver training.

How the underwater exoskeleton works and its effects

The research team has developed a bilateral cable-driven underwater knee exoskeleton to assist divers with their flutter kicks. This system uses motion sensors and force-based control to provide real-time auxiliary torque to the knee.

Testing with 6 experienced divers showed significant improvement. When wearing a powered exoskeleton, air consumption was reduced by 22.7%, quadriceps activation was reduced by 20.9%, and calf activation was reduced by 20.6% compared to a normal dive without an exoskeleton. Divers adapted well to assistance, exhibited natural movement patterns, and had improved energy economy.

Future possibilities of underwater robotics

This breakthrough demonstrates the world’s first portable underwater exoskeleton that can improve diving performance and reduce physical strain. Beyond its direct application in marine research and underwater work, the system also provides new insights into diver training and biomechanics.

This research lays the foundation for future assistive devices that strengthen the human-sea connection by extending wearable robots into underwater environments.