A senior citizen tries on an exoskeleton device. [Photo/WeChat account: hzfbwx]

At the start of 2026, China's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission unveiled the Top 10 Innovations of 2025 by central State-owned enterprises.

The AsExo-TK1000 "Tashan" smart assistive exoskeleton, independently developed by China South Industries Group Corporation's Zhiyuan Research Institute in Hangzhou, was the only smart wearable and the sole entry from Zhejiang province to be included on the list.

Weighing just 2.7 kilograms, the exoskeleton can be put on or taken off in just 30 seconds and fits into a small travel bag. Designed to address mobility challenges among older adults, it provides targeted hip and waist support, reducing muscle fatigue by up to 30 percent.

Using AI algorithms and multiple high-precision sensors, the device rapidly models each user's height, weight, and gait, then delivers personalized assistance. It can identify various types of terrain such as flat ground, stairs, and slopes, and adjust support in real time, with its motion prediction accuracy exceeding 99 percent.

Unlike traditional medical exoskeletons that often cost hundreds of thousands of yuan, the consumer-oriented Tashan is priced below 9,800 yuan ($1,403), making advanced assistive technology more accessible. Developers say the product is now being applied mainly in eldercare and fitness, with the long-term goal of helping more people regain confidence in walking through affordable innovation.

The exoskeleton devices. [Photo/WeChat account: hzfbwx]