China has successfully engineered its first exoskeleton robotic system specifically optimized for intricate underground mining environments, marking a pivotal stride in human-machine synergistic rescue operations.
Currently in industrial trials, the system has undergone three rounds of rigorous practical validation with a national mine rescue team exhibiting exceptional adaptability, operational resilience, and precision in subterranean conditions, according to China Energy Investment Corporation Co., Ltd. (CHN Energy).
The project, initiated in July 2025 by Shendong Coal Group of CHN Energy in collaboration with the China Coal Research Institute, addresses critical limitations in mine disaster response, including restricted equipment intelligence and the constrained physical endurance of individual rescuers.
The exoskeleton boasts an innovative “rigid-flexible coupling” architecture, integrating upper and lower limb power-assist modules with a sophisticated multi-sensor array and AI-driven control system.
This configuration enables seamless human-robot collaboration, enhancing both efficiency and safety during complex underground operations.
Key technical benchmarks include over six hours of continuous operation, movement recognition accuracy exceeding 95%, and a maximum load capacity of 80 kilograms for transport and extraction tasks.
The system also reduces human metabolic energy expenditure by approximately 20%, significantly amplifying rescue personnel endurance and operational effectiveness.
Beyond emergency response, the exoskeleton demonstrates immense potential for high-intensity mining activities, including subterranean material handling, equipment installation, and operational logistics.
CHN Energy highlighted that this breakthrough strengthens China’s energy sector safety framework and elevates the modernization of its mine emergency response capabilities, setting a benchmark in industrial robotics and disaster mitigation technology.
