Chinese military men now wear "iron suits": Exoskeletons on PLA ships take over the cargo

The Chinese army is keeping up with the times — now soldiers of the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) on ships are working in exoskeletons so as not to break their backs when loading and unloading heavy boxes, ammunition and equipment. This is no longer fiction and not just a test at a training ground — real military personnel use these "mechanical suits" in real conditions, where every meter of space is worth its weight in gold, and loads are not easy.

Exoskeletons work as an invisible helper: they do not move due to batteries or motors, but cleverly redistribute the load from the muscles and spine of the soldier to their design. Imagine: you lift a 50-kilogram box, but you feel like you're carrying half as much. It's not because you've become stronger— it's because the exoskeleton takes on the brunt, redirecting it through the frame directly into the ground.

Such devices are passive exoskeletons, meaning they are not autonomous, but enhance the movements of the person himself. No wires, batteries, or complicated electronics. It's just smart mechanics that turn on with every movement, reducing fatigue and, most importantly, minimizing the risk of back and joint injuries. And on a rocking ship, where you need to keep your balance and drag cargo through narrow passages, this is especially valuable.

For the army, this is not just a convenience, but an increase in efficiency and endurance. A soldier can work longer, faster, and without exhaustion. This means that the ship is ready for combat or for the transfer of cargo many times faster. This is especially important in an environment where every minute counts and people's physical resources are limited.

China is not the first to use exoskeletons, but it is actively and systematically introducing them into the army. Such technologies are already being used not only in the navy, but also in logistics — in China, for example, loaders in Beijing and Shanghai have long been working in "robosuits" in warehouses. Even in Russia and the USA, their use is being discussed. And in China, this is already part of the daily service.

This is another step towards the "smart army of the future," where a soldier is not just a fighter, but part of a high-tech system. And if earlier the victory depended on the number of people, now it depends on how well the car helps the person.