Sichuan Bets on Exoskeleton Robots: Wellness and Tourism Lead, Medical Rehab Core

At Buffalo Robotics, located by Xinglong Lake in Sichuan Tianfu New Area, a reporter tried an exoskeleton device. The suit's carbon fiber frame weighs 2.2 kilograms, and gentle lifting on both sides of the thighs makes stair climbing feel as if someone is guiding each step.

The device quickly learns the user's cadence and force habits, delivering a 30% reduction in effort. General Manager Zhang Daiwu said the company's best-selling product is a lower-limb walking exoskeleton, which saw a 50% year-on-year sales increase last year.

It helps people with spinal cord injuries or paralysis stand and walk, and is also used for rehabilitation. Last year, AI and brain-computer interface (BCI) technology were integrated. Chip algorithms make hemiplegic patients' gait more natural, and with a brain cap and BCI, patients can shift from passive to active training.

Culture, tourism, and wellness are early adoption scenarios. Sichuan's exoskeleton firms have moved quickly. Mount Emei has received over 8,000 rental visitors.

Juntian Zhizao focuses on consumer commercialization with three exoskeleton series for heavy-load carrying, upper-limb labor relief, and walking assistance, priced from 6,000 to 22,000 yuan. It partners with Mount Emei and other scenic areas to provide hiking assistance.

Sichuan Xingzou Technology, based in Luzhou, targets rehabilitation with a full chain of products for hospitals, communities, homes, and outdoors. It achieved 17.5 million yuan in output value from January to June and expects 40 million yuan for the year.

Supporting enterprises are following. In July, Jiangyang District Government of Luzhou and Chengdu Haoneng Technology agreed to build a production base for 5 million robot joint reducers annually, promoting local supply of core components.