Robotic exoskeletons help Chinese tourists climb the country's most punishing mountain
A towering 5,000 feet high, with more than 7,000 steps, Mount Tai, in the eastern Chinese province of Shandong, is known for turning legs to jelly for anyone game for scaling to the top.
Videos all over Chinese social media, such as TikTok's sister app Douyin, show even the fittest hikers shaking, collapsing or trying to climb downhill on all fours.
Some visitors hire 'climbing buddies' to help them make the summit.
But tourism officials in Shandong have come up with another idea: robotic legs.
On January 29, the first day of Chinese New Year, ten AI-powered exoskeletons debuted at Mount Tai (Taishan in Mandarin), attracting over 200 users for a fee of 60 yuan to 80 yuan ($8 - $11 USD) per use during a week-long trial, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Co-developed by Taishan Cultural Tourism Group and Kenqing Technology, a Shenzhen-based tech company, this device is designed to wrap around users' waists and thighs and weighs in at just 1.8 kilograms, according to the firm's product introduction.
Powered by AI algorithms, it can sense users' movements and provide 'synchronized assistance' to ease the burden of legs, according to Kenqing Technology.
Each robotic exoskeleton runs on two batteries, lasting for about five hours, according to Wang Houzhe, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group. It generally takes six hours to climb to the top.
'It really works!' Li Chengde, a 68-year-old tourist from the capital Jinan, told state-run Xinhua News Agency after trying out the device. 'It felt like someone was pulling me uphill!'
'This can help more people hike up the mountain and enjoy the scenery of Mount Tai… without it being too strenuous,' Wang told Chinese state media.
Jacky, a content creator from Shangdong who requested a pseudonym for privacy reasons, tested the device last Sunday for half an hour over hundreds of steps.
While echoing the general positive feedback as many others, he told CNN there is still room for improvement.
'The experience is definitely easier,' he said about climbing with the device on. 'But once I took it off, I felt a bit clumsy walking (on my own).'
The 29-year-old said he felt like a 'puppet' with the machine doing all the work but once he got used to not exerting himself, it was 'really tiring' after he removed the exoskeleton and went back to climbing of his own power.
Jacky added he also found the device inconvenient when he needed to use the bathroom and tie his shoelaces while wearing it. The exoskeleton requires extra hands to put on and take off and fully squatting down could risk breaking the tight straps.
He also said that the battery needed more juice.
Wang from the Taishan Cultural Tourism Group said the team will extend battery life and set up replacement spots along the hiking trails, according to Chinese state-linked media.
Currently in beta testing, the exoskeletons are expected to hit the mass market in early March, according to the local publicity department.
Despite a few hiccups, Jacky deems the exoskeleton robots a 'good product' and a 'true blessing' for the elderly, children and mobility-impaired visitors. Half of the hikers who opted to try out the prototype exoskeletons at Mount Tai were senior citizens.
In addition to making mountain climbing a whole lot easier, these walking supports have sparked online discussions about their wider applications in a country grappling with a rapidly ageing population.
Last year, 22% of China's population was over 60, and that figure is expected to rise to 30% by 2035, with the elderly population surpassing 400 million, according to the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics.
And the market size of smart elderly care in China was estimated at 6.8 trillion yuan (about $934 billion) in 2024, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Kenqing Technology, the robotic exoskeletons' co-developer, which was founded in 2015, is eyeing this vast elderly care market. It has rolled out an exoskeleton specifically designed for elderly users, weighing 2.4 kilograms and priced at 17,000 yuan ($2,334 USD) on China's e-commerce giant Taobao.
To fully unlock the potential of elderly care robots, industry insiders told Xinhua News Agency that stronger policy support is needed to scale up their production while keeping prices affordable for all.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Asian Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership And Up To 38% Earnings Growth
As the Asian markets navigate a landscape of economic uncertainties and evolving trade dynamics, investors are increasingly turning their attention to companies with strong growth potential and significant insider ownership. In this environment, stocks that combine robust earnings growth with high levels of insider investment can offer unique insights into company confidence and strategic alignment. Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth Techwing (KOSDAQ:A089030) 18.8% 68% Suzhou Sunmun Technology (SZSE:300522) 35.4% 77.7% Sineng ElectricLtd (SZSE:300827) 36% 26.9% Shanghai Huace Navigation Technology (SZSE:300627) 24.4% 23.5% Schooinc (TSE:264A) 30.6% 68.9% Samyang Foods (KOSE:A003230) 11.7% 24.3% Oscotec (KOSDAQ:A039200) 21.1% 94.4% Nanya New Material TechnologyLtd (SHSE:688519) 11% 63.3% Laopu Gold (SEHK:6181) 35.5% 40.2% Fulin Precision (SZSE:300432) 13.6% 44.2% Click here to see the full list of 614 stocks from our Fast Growing Asian Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. We're going to check out a few of the best picks from our screener tool. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Ingenic Semiconductor Co., Ltd. focuses on the research, development, design, and sale of integrated circuit chip products both in China and internationally, with a market cap of CN¥31.92 billion. Operations: Ingenic Semiconductor Co., Ltd. generates revenue through the research, development, design, and sale of integrated circuit chip products in both domestic and international markets. Insider Ownership: 16.6% Earnings Growth Forecast: 26.1% p.a. Ingenic Semiconductor Ltd. demonstrates potential as a growth company with high insider ownership in Asia, despite recent challenges. The company's revenue is forecast to grow at 18.2% annually, outpacing the broader Chinese market's 12.4%, and its earnings are expected to rise significantly by 26.1% per year, surpassing market averages. However, recent amendments to company bylaws and dividend decreases may indicate internal restructuring efforts amidst declining net income from CNY 537.25 million in 2024 to CNY 366.2 million in the latest report. Delve into the full analysis future growth report here for a deeper understanding of Ingenic SemiconductorLtd. The analysis detailed in our Ingenic SemiconductorLtd valuation report hints at an inflated share price compared to its estimated value. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★★☆ Overview: Allwinner Technology Co., Ltd. is engaged in the research, development, design, manufacturing, and sale of intelligent application SoC, analog components, and wireless interconnect chips in China with a market cap of CN¥32.09 billion. Operations: The company's revenue is primarily derived from its Integrated Circuit Design segment, which generated CN¥2.50 billion. Insider Ownership: 37.4% Earnings Growth Forecast: 38.1% p.a. Allwinner Technology Ltd. exhibits strong growth prospects with earnings expected to increase by 38.1% annually, surpassing the Chinese market's average growth rate. The company's recent financial performance reflects this potential, as Q1 2025 sales rose to CNY 619.86 million from CNY 409.51 million the previous year, while net income increased to CNY 91.55 million from CNY 49.09 million. Despite high-quality earnings being impacted by large one-off items, revenue is forecasted to grow at a robust rate of over 20% annually. Click here and access our complete growth analysis report to understand the dynamics of Allwinner TechnologyLtd. Upon reviewing our latest valuation report, Allwinner TechnologyLtd's share price might be too optimistic. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: ★★★★☆☆ Overview: Round One Corporation operates indoor leisure complex facilities and has a market cap of ¥340.32 billion. Operations: The company's revenue segments include ¥102.49 billion from Japan and ¥73.11 billion from the United States of America. Insider Ownership: 36.2% Earnings Growth Forecast: 12.8% p.a. Round One Corporation demonstrates solid growth potential with earnings projected to grow 12.8% annually, outpacing the Japanese market average. The company benefits from high insider ownership and trades at a good value relative to peers. Despite recent share price volatility, Round One's sales in Japan and the USA have shown healthy increases, boosting confidence in its revenue trajectory. Additionally, recent buybacks indicate management's commitment to enhancing shareholder value amidst stable dividend payouts. Take a closer look at Round One's potential here in our earnings growth report. The valuation report we've compiled suggests that Round One's current price could be quite moderate. Access the full spectrum of 614 Fast Growing Asian Companies With High Insider Ownership by clicking on this link. Searching for a Fresh Perspective? Trump's oil boom is here — pipelines are primed to profit. Discover the 22 US stocks riding the wave. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include SZSE:300223 SZSE:300458 and TSE:4680. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Inside the secret society of ‘real life vampires' — and the arousing secret of how they drink blood
Mobsters. Doctors. Politicians. Musicians. What's the common thread connecting this motley crew? Advertisement They're all in Australia's secret society of real vampires. Spawned from the goth subculture, this shadowy community – known as a 'vampire court' – now includes Aussies from all sorts of walks of life. 16 Stemming from goth subculture, this shadowy community – known as a 'vampire court' – includes Aussies. Andrey Kiselev – Think real vampires are just pale people drinking red cordial? Think again. Advertisement To many of its followers, the true blood lifestyle is about much more than fashion. It's about survival. And though they might not transform into bats or live forever, they do drink real human blood, wear surgically-enhanced fangs and let loose at vampire balls. 16 Followers drink real human blood, wear surgically-enhanced fangs and attend vampire balls. Gillie and Marc/Youtube Advertisement These days, their ranks are being quietly pumped by social media and the decline of religion. Just don't ask these creatures of the night to throw light on their very dark way of life. They claim they keep to themselves and aren't dangerous. But critics claim some vampires use this cloak of secrecy to exploit people. So are they really monsters? Medical mysteries? Or just misunderstood? Advertisement 'I want revenge' For centuries, vampire folklore has compelled us. Tales of bloodsucking beasts can be found in ancient cultures around the world including First Nations people. But in the last few decades, they've been forever fixed in pop culture as a romanticized symbol of finding identity in the world. This romanticism is at the heart of the complex history between real vampires and Sydney local Crystal, who does not wish to share her real name. On one hand, Crystal claims they've drugged her. Drank her blood without consent. Even forced her to drink the blood of others. On the other hand, she remains transfixed by their mythical morbidity. For Crystal, it all began when she was invited to an opulent mansion party in Sydney's affluent suburb of Vaucluse when she was just 18. Crystal, who was drawn to gothic culture at the time, said the house belonged to the father of a friend of a friend who worked as a nurse. Advertisement 16 Sydney local Crystal claims the vampires drank her blood without consent, but remains transfixed by their mythical morbidity. Supplied Inside the party, she claims to have found herself in imposing company. She was greeted by yakuza and triads – otherwise known as the Japanese and Chinese mafias. 'They were just standing around wearing suits and watching anime movies', Crystal told Advertisement 'And they weren't shy about what they did'. As it happened, the mafia is not the only bloodthirsty group these men belonged to. Crystal soon learned they were part of the Australian chapter of an international 'vampire court'. Inside, Crystal says she was given a glass of champagne. Soon after drinking it, she claims she sat on a couch and lost consciousness. When she woke up, she alleges she felt lightheaded and her neck and arms were dotted by what she calls 'love bites'. Looking back, she believes she'd been drugged. There were no other signs of assault. Advertisement 'I didn't know what to think at the time,' she says. Before she left, Crystal was given a dark diagnosis. 'They told me I'd been infected with the virus.' She never reported her experience to the police. Indeed, real vampires would come back to haunt her before long. After moving into a Newcastle monastery to study business, Crystal met members of a local court. Advertisement 16 Nicolas Cage as Dracula in 'Renfield.' Photo Credit: Universal Pictures While things started safely, one night the group pressured her to drink from a bottle of red. It was human blood mixed with cordial. 'They said, 'it's time to join us',' says Crystal. 'You can't choose to join this society. They choose you.' Feeling powerless, Crystal agreed. But the court came harder than ever. Another night, Crystal woke with puncture wounds on her wrist. 16 'They said, 'it's time to join us',' says Crystal. 'You can't choose to join this society. They choose you.' Supplied Crystal believes the vampires had fed on her while she slept. She kept quiet about the incident because the court had 'powerful people on their side.' 'There are doctors, nurses, business owners and musicians,' she says. 'It's very secretive. From the outside, they live normal lives.' Until now, Crystal kept her experience to herself out of fear she would not be taken seriously. Or worse. But now, she wants to raise awareness. 16 'There are doctors, nurses, business owners and musicians,' she says. 'It's very secretive. From the outside, they live normal lives.' Supplied 'I want revenge for how I was treated.' Despite this messy history, Crystal's experience with the court was forever imprinted onto her self-image. She hopes to one day launch a safe-space for people to appreciate vampire culture. Medical mystery Crystal's disturbing account is not unlike a scene in a horror movie, where vampires lunge from the shadows and maul victims' necks before sucking on the flowing wine-like liquid. 16 In the movies, vampires lunge and maul victims' necks for their flowing, wine-like liquid. copy photo It's important to note that vampiric crime is rare, and abusers of power are far from unique to the courts. For most members, this community offers a sense of belonging, and some courts are heavily involved with charity causes. Not all 'real vampires' feed on blood. And for those who do, the practice is traditionally safe. So how does it work? 16 Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula. Universal Studios What's known as a 'donor' will willingly offer their blood to a vampire. Both take medical tests and other precautions. Complications are rare. Which is fine. But it begs another question: why? Real vampires claim they feel sick and lethargic if they don't feed on human blood. It balances their energy. 16 Movie poster for 'Dracula 'starring Bela Lugosi. AP Some believe this thirst for blood is a sign of a deeper mental health problem. So is it all a big delusion? When vampires follow a code of silence, it's not easy to say. But that secrecy is well founded. They've learned the hard way their lifestyle inspires revulsion. That's why this community stays in the shadows. Most Australian vampires I contacted for this story declined to take part in it. One local fanged figure you need to know is Jason De Marco, otherwise known as Don Jason. Don Jason runs the Sydney Vampires Meetup Group. He's also an electioneering member of the Liberal Party, bringing new meaning to the idea of a bloodsucking politician. At least this one is honest. In a YouTube video made by married artists Gillie and Marc Schattner, Jason is seen wearing Edwardian-era clothing, surgically-enhanced fangs, and a wide smile. Among the graves of Waverley cemetery, he says Don Jason first knew what he was aged four. 'I was different from other children' Jason said. 'I said I'm going to grow up and be Dracula.' 16 'I said I'm going to grow up and be Dracula,' Don Jason, who runs the Sydney Vampires Meetup Group, said. Gillie and Marc/Youtube He says he drinks exclusively from the razor-sliced thighs of female donors. They don't just consent to this feeding. They're aroused by it. 'They seem to get an orgasm off it every time,' he claimed. 'People can assume we're insane: why do you have this need to drink blood?' 16 'People can assume we're insane: why do you have this need to drink blood?' Don Jason says. Gillie and Marc/Youtube 'The only thing I have to worry about is my innate illness, which was ironically an illness associated with the vampire myth.' 'My vitals can shut down and I look like a corpse. People who had it used to be buried alive.' Marc Schattner said Don Jason suffers from porphyria, a rare blood disorder thought to have inspired early vampire mythology. 16 Marc Schattner said Don Jason suffers from porphyria, a rare blood disorder thought to have inspired early vampire mythology. Gillie and Marc/Youtube 'It can cause symptoms like extreme sensitivity to sunlight, skin blisters, and a reddish-purple discoloration,' he says. Jason is an extreme example. Some people just like vampires for a good old-fashioned doof. 'Not merely an event' The dawn of the vampire ball is misty. Sometime during the rise of Europe's medieval masquerade balls, a darker event emerged in honour of the undead. These days, the vampire ball circuit is an international network spanning Romania, the US and Australia. 16 Bela Lugosi in 'Mark of the Vampire.' Melbourne's annual Carpe Noctem Vampire Ball was recently held in April. The founder of the event, who asked to remain anonymous, said it's about something bigger than costumes. 'More than just an opportunity to don elaborate attire, the Carpe Noctem Vampire Ball is a celebration of identity and belonging.' After a signature 'bloodbath cocktail' (ingredients undisclosed), the crowd – comprised of goths, role players and the real deal – take part in rituals including a 'sacrifice' that 'lifts the veil between the living and the dead.' Australian vampires Few real-vampires claim to have the magical powers you'll find in Twilight. But if I had to throw money on one of them being superhuman, Andreas Bathory is the one. 16 Kristen Stewart, left, and Robert Pattinson are shown in a scene from 'Twilight.' AP He dwells on the sprawling grounds of Bran 'Dracula's' Castle in Romania's Transylvania. With these walls, Bathory drinks donated blood. Sometimes sleeps in a coffin. And channels Vlad the Impaler. 'It's not merely an event' Bathory says. 'It's a portal.' Bathory is the leader of the Ordo Dracul, a vampire court based in Transylvania. And he says more and more Aussies are signing up. 16 Bran Castle towers above Bran commune, in Brasov county. via REUTERS 'New initiates are joining from Australia. Some of my dearest allies come from Melbourne and the Gold Coast,' he said. 'Australia resonates with the old blood.' Bathory believes these vampires thrive in silence. 'Just because we're not loud, doesn't mean we're not present. In our world we prefer to walk the line of shadows.' 16 Bran Castle, also known as Dracula's Castle, in the Carpathian Mountains. REUTERS 'Realise their full potential' The University of Western Sydney's Dr Adam Possamai charted the rise of real vampires in his book Sociology of Religion for Generations X and Y. He believes it's a 'hyper-real religion' – a modern hybrid of religion, philosophy and popular culture that helps people find their identity in a noisy world. 'The vampire is no longer a monster that needs to be destroyed,' he said. 'It's now a superman-type of character that people aspire to become to realise their full potential. 'As society becomes more consumerist, I expect hyper-real religions like vampires to grow. But it's tricky to quantify.' 'Are they people who identify with the image alone? How far do their practices go? And how long will they keep them up?' Though Australian vampire groups have picked up thousands of members on social media, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) said in a statement they don't formally recognise vampires. 'Vampires don't describe a stand-alone group in any of the statistical standard classifications used to disseminate Census data,' a spokesperson said. 'The ABS regularly reviews statistical standard classifications and holds public consultations to ensure standard classifications reflect the Australian community.' Until vampires are socially acknowledged, we'll never know how many of them walk among us or what secrets they hold. Nelson Groom is a freelance writer. His novel The Auction is coming soon. Learn more on his Instagram Got a story? Get in touch: nelsonsamuelgroom@
Boston Globe
4 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Chinese hackers and user lapses turn smartphones into a ‘mobile security crisis'
Foreign hackers have increasingly identified smartphones, other mobile devices, and the apps they use as a weak link in US cyberdefenses. Groups linked to China's military and intelligence service have targeted the smartphones of prominent Americans and burrowed deep into telecommunication networks, according to national security and tech experts. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up It shows how vulnerable mobile devices and apps are and the risk that security failures could expose sensitive information or leave American interests open to cyberattack, those experts say. Advertisement 'The world is in a mobile security crisis right now,' said Rocky Cole, a former cybersecurity specialist at the National Security Agency and Google and now chief operations officer at iVerify. 'No one is watching the phones.' US authorities warned in December of a sprawling Chinese hacking campaign designed to gain access to the texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. 'They were able to listen in on phone calls in real-time and able to read text messages,' said Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois. He is a member of the House Intelligence Committee and the senior Democrat on the Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, created to study the geopolitical threat from China. Advertisement Chinese hackers also sought access to phones used by Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance during the 2024 campaign. The Chinese government has denied allegations of cyberespionage, and accused the U.S. of mounting its own cyberoperations. It says America cites national security as an excuse to issue sanctions against Chinese organizations and keep Chinese technology companies from the global market. 'The U.S. has long been using all kinds of despicable methods to steal other countries' secrets,' Lin Jian, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry, said at a recent press conference in response to questions about a CIA push to recruit Chinese informants. US intelligence officials have said China poses a significant, persistent threat to US economic and political interests, and it has harnessed the tools of digital conflict: online propaganda and disinformation, artificial intelligence and cyber surveillance and espionage designed to deliver a significant advantage in any military conflict. Mobile networks are a top concern. The U.S. and many of its closest allies have banned Chinese telecom companies from their networks. Other countries, including Germany, are phasing out Chinese involvement because of security concerns. But Chinese tech firms remain a big part of the systems in many nations, giving state-controlled companies a global footprint they could exploit for cyberattacks, experts say. Chinese telecom firms still maintain some routing and cloud storage systems in the U.S. — a growing concern to lawmakers. 'The American people deserve to know if Beijing is quietly using state-owned firms to infiltrate our critical infrastructure,' US Representative John Moolenaar, Republican of Michigan and chairman of the China committee, which in April issued subpoenas to Chinese telecom companies seeking information about their US operations. Advertisement Mobile devices can buy stocks, launch drones, and run power plants. Their proliferation has often outpaced their security. The phones of top government officials are especially valuable, containing sensitive government information, passwords, and an insider's glimpse into policy discussions and decision-making. The White House said last week that someone impersonating Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff, reached out to governors, senators, and business leaders with texts and phone calls. It's unclear how the person obtained Wiles's connections, but they apparently gained access to the contacts in her personal cellphone, The Wall Street Journal reported. The messages and calls were not coming from Wiles's number, the newspaper reported. While most smartphones and tablets come with robust security, apps and connected devices often lack these protections or the regular software updates needed to stay ahead of new threats. That makes every fitness tracker, baby monitor or smart appliance another potential foothold for hackers looking to penetrate networks, retrieve information, or infect systems with malware. Federal officials launched a program this year creating a 'cyber trust mark' for connected devices that meet federal security standards. But consumers and officials shouldn't lower their guard, said Snehal Antani, former chief technology officer for the Pentagon's Joint Special Operations Command. 'They're finding backdoors in Barbie dolls,' said Antani, now CEO of a cybersecurity firm, referring to concerns from researchers who successfully hacked the microphone of a digitally connected version of the toy. It doesn't matter how secure a mobile device is if the user doesn't follow basic security precautions, especially if their device contains classified or sensitive information, experts say. Advertisement Mike Waltz, who departed as Trump's national security adviser, inadvertently added The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a Signal chat used to discuss military plans with other top officials. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon's security protocols set up in his office so he could use the Signal messaging app on a personal computer, the AP has reported. Hegseth has rejected assertions that he shared classified information on Signal, a popular encrypted messaging app not approved for the use of communicating classified information. China and other nations will try to take advantage of such lapses, and national security officials must take steps to prevent them from recurring, said Michael Williams, a national security expert at Syracuse University. 'They all have access to a variety of secure communications platforms,' Williams said. 'We just can't share things willy-nilly.'
