Moving through water is much harder than walking on land. Every kick of a diver’s legs has to push through thick resistance, which quickly drains energy and air from the tank.
This is one of the main reasons dive time is limited, even for experienced divers in good physical condition.
Now, a group of researchers in China has created a new device that could make underwater movement easier and far more efficient.
A research team led by Professor Wang Qining from the School of Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics at Peking University has developed the world’s first portable underwater exoskeleton designed specifically to support a diver’s knee movement.
An exoskeleton is a wearable mechanical device that helps the body move, almost like a powered external set of muscles.
While similar devices already exist to help people walk or carry heavy loads on land, creating one that works reliably underwater has been a major challenge.
Water changes everything. The way our joints move, the forces on our muscles, and the resistance around us are very different from what we experience on the ground.
Electronics, motors, and sensors also need to be protected from water pressure and corrosion. For a long time, these obstacles made underwater exoskeletons seem impractical. This new system shows that it is possible.
The device is worn on both legs and connects around the knees. It is powered by a cable-driven system and guided by motion sensors.
As a diver performs a flutter kick, the sensors detect the movement and provide gentle, well-timed help to the knee joint. In simple terms, the exoskeleton gives the diver an extra boost with each kick, reducing the effort the muscles need to make.
The researchers tested the system with six experienced divers. The results were impressive. When the divers used the powered exoskeleton, they used around 23 percent less air than when they swam normally.
At the same time, key leg muscles worked about 20 percent less. Even with the mechanical assistance, the divers’ movements stayed natural and smooth, and they adjusted to the device without difficulty.
This kind of improvement could have a big impact in many areas. Marine scientists could stay underwater longer to study ocean life. Construction workers and engineers could carry out underwater repairs with less exhaustion. Divers in training might learn good movement techniques more easily and safely.
By successfully taking wearable robotic technology from land into the sea, this research opens the door to a new generation of underwater support devices.
In the future, humans may be able to explore the ocean with less strain on their bodies, staying safer and going farther than ever before.
