In Guangzhou, southern China, Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area has recently introduced exoskeleton robot rentals, giving visitors a new way to climb with less effort. Near the south gate sightseeing bus entrance, an AI-powered climbing robot rental cabinet now holds about 12 machines for visitors to borrow.

The gear can sense a user’s walking intentions and match their stride in real time, taking much of the strain off the legs. It is said to feel as light as carrying three bottles of water. When users move forward, it helps lift their legs. There are six levels of support, with stronger assistance for uphill climbs and gentler settings for going downhill to protect the knees.

One visitor said the robot cut climbing time by about half. More AI technologies and devices are expected to be used in everyday settings this year, bringing more scientific and technological breakthroughs into daily life.