Skyworth Group, previously known for its televisions and home appliances, is developing a wearable exoskeleton designed to support the mobility of the elderly. According to IT Home on October 12, citing Leiphone, this product aims to reduce the strain on users' lower limbs while walking, getting up from a seat, or navigating stairs.
The report states that the team working on the exoskeleton was established internally within the group and operates under the Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Research Institute. It is emphasized that this product will not be sold under the Skyworth brand.
The project is currently in the testing phase. Sources familiar with the situation reported that the development has undergone several internal iterations but has not yet moved to mass production or official launch. They also specified that Skyworth began considering exoskeletons about a year ago. Currently, information regarding prices, technical specifications, or release dates has not been disclosed.
This move stands out against the skeptical stance of Skyworth founder, Wong Wang-sang, towards humanoid robots. At a client conference and product presentation in March 2026, he stated that the company was not working on humanoid robots and considered it unrealistic to expect them to accompany or perform tasks for the elderly. This internal approach to exoskeleton development and its separation from the main brand may reflect this cautious position.
The walking assistance exoskeleton has a narrower target focus. Instead of a universal machine that must perceive and act in a home environment, it is a wearable device that supports the person's own movement—a task that is easier to define and test.
Exoskeletons are already in use in China for daily activities. In places such as Huangshan, Tai, and Hua mountains, they have been implemented to assist visitors with climbing, and some communities have started pilot projects in elder care to ensure independent walking for people with limited mobility. In addition to assisting the elderly, this technology is applied in industrial work and emergency rescue operations.
For a company involved in consumer electronics and possessing an extensive network of retail and after-sales service, a mobile assistive device for the aging population is a logical adjacent product. The further development of the project will depend on the results of the current tests.