A look at the latest underwater robotics trend

Sometimes you read things on the internet that make you wonder: “Cool – but… really?” That’s exactly how we felt when we came across this report on heise.de about a brand new underwater exoskeleton. A research team at Peking University has developed a system that essentially equips divers with Power Legs 2.0. Less muscle work, less air consumption, longer dives. Sounds like a mix of Iron Man and SSI Open Water.

But let’s take a relaxed look at the whole thing – just like you would look at a shisha on a beach café cushion in Dahab: with a “let’s see where this leads”.

How does this robotic leg thing work?

In short:
you strap a 9 kg pack onto your back. Inside are two electric motors that control pull ropes, which in turn are attached to your thighs and lower legs. No, it doesn’t sound like tech diving. It sounds like the gym. But underwater.

These motors only assist you during certain phases of the fin stroke.
Down? Boost! Up? Relaxed.
And according to the study, this actually has an effect:
22.7% less oxygen consumption.
Over 20% less activity in the quadriceps and calves.
So basically: “I dive, you work.“

Let’s imagine that in the Red Sea.

Practical application in Dahab:

You float comfortably above the house reef of Lagona Divers in Dahab, your buddy group behind you – and you fly away without any noticeable effort. The others are struggling against the “current” at Canyon Dahab, but you glide like an Egyptian mermaid with the wind at your back.

Or in Hamata:
while normal divers stalk the peacefully passing dugong, your exoskeleton pulls you towards the sea grass meadow at warp speed.

One can imagine it – but does one want to?

The practical test: fin vs. exoskeleton

The study took place in a pool with a depth of 2 metres. 100-metre lanes.
We’re not talking about currents, buoyancy control, buddy checks, or even a half-inflated Red Sea alien sighting buoy.
We all know that the Red Sea does things to us that no swimming pool can ever replicate.

And honestly:
As divers… we like the fact that diving is physical.
That you’re tired after a dive, just like after a good day outdoors.
That you know: “I’ve done something.”

Extending dive time – all well and good…

Sure, longer dive times are tempting.
But let’s be honest, when you go into the water with us in Dahab or Hamata, is “I absolutely MUST stay down 25 minutes longer” really the problem?

Actually, it’s more like:

“When shall we have tea between dives?”
“Where’s the cat that always sleeps on the terrace?”
“What shall we have for dinner tonight?”
“And where’s my second flipper?”

What does this mean for Lagona Divers?

As a diving centre focusing on SSI diving courses, leisurely house reef walks and relaxed boat trips in southern Egypt, we naturally have to ask ourselves:

Do we need that in Dahab or Hamata?
Or is it one of those things like heated sandals or waterproof selfie drones?

My feeling:
Cool to know that this exists.
Exciting for engineers.
But underwater, we want the opposite: less technology, more peace and quiet. Less robot power, more Red Sea. Less Iron Man, more me and my buddy.

But now it’s your turn:
Do we really want an exoskeleton for our divers? Do we need it – or will it be the next “nice to read about, but please not on my buoyancy compensator” invention?

Would you rather dive in the Red Sea without an exoskeleton? Then take a look here:

➡️ dive booking: https://www.lagona-divers.com/en/rates-and-booking/
➡️ All blog articles: https://www.lagona-divers.com/en/blog/
➡️ You can read the study here:
“An Underwater Exoskeleton for Scuba Diving: Reducing Air Consumption and Muscle Activation Through Knee Assistance”

Or even better: sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date – without any robotic legs.