--- title: "Chinese Firefighters Issued Exoskeletons to Make Them Stronger" description: "A Chinese manufacturer has delivered their latest powered exoskeleton system, specifically designed for fighting fires in the woods." date: "2021-04-21" modified: "2021-04-21" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/chinese-firefighters-issued-exoskeletons" categories: - "Robots and Machines" tags: - "china" - "exoskeleton" - "firefighting" - "the digest" --- # Chinese Firefighters Issued Exoskeletons to Make Them Stronger ![A Chinese manufacturer has delivered their latest powered exoskeleton system, specifically designed for fighting fires in the woods.]() *\Image: CASIC\* ## Powered Exoskeleton A Chinese manufacturer has delivered its latest powered exoskeleton system to firefighters, state-owned news agency [*Global Times* reports](). "This exoskeleton system will be applied to enhance a firefighter's weight carrying capability to up to 50 kilograms, facilitating their movements in complicated environments such as mountain areas and in the woods," developers at the state-owned aerospace contractor China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) told *Global Times*. The suit was developed by the Human Function Enhancement Technology Research Center under contract with CASIC. It weighs just 11 pounds, thanks to a carbon fiber structure, and is reportedly able to save firefighters more than 50 percent of the energy expended while doing a number of different tasks, including walking, climbing, or carrying heavy loads. ## Saving Energy The exoskeleton is the answer to a call by China's State Council for a national emergency plan for forest and grassland fires. It's actually not the first time we've seen a system like it in action. A similar product, developed by the same firm, allowed workers to more easily traverse the snowy landscape while [picking up lunar samples]() from the Chang'e-5 probe that landed in Inner Mongolia back in December. The company has also delivered exoskeletons for use in high-altitude regions where goods being carried on foot can feel like they weigh much more due to a lack of oxygen. It's yet another sign that exoskeletons, both powered and unpowered, are becoming an increasingly widespread tool. **READ MORE:** [Chinese space firm delivers exoskeleton system to firefighters, enhances performance in fighting grassland, forestry fires]() \[*Global Times*\] **More on exoskeletons:** *[The US Army Is Testing a Powered Exoskeleton]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()