Knee Exoskeleton Reportedly Boosts Leg Strength by 50%

Design Sem Nome 2025 07 24T090908.885
Motors have powered up bikes, skateboards, and kayaks — so why not attach them to your legs? That’s the Z1 exoskeleton’s goal: boost leg strength by 50% and reduce knee pressure by 200%.
Image Credits: The Z1’s two motors deliver a combined 900 watts of power to the user’s thighs and calves 
Dnsys

Motors have powered up bikes, skateboards, and kayaks — so why not attach them to your legs? That’s the Z1 exoskeleton’s goal: boost leg strength by 50% and reduce knee pressure by 200%.

Now on Kickstarter, the Z1 comes from Hong Kong-based startup Dnsys, founded four years ago by robotics veterans with experience at Segway, DJI, and Xiaomi.

User Feedback Inspires Z1 Evolution

Last year, Dnsys launched the X1 exoskeleton to boost hip strength using thigh-mounted motors.Feedback from users requesting similar support at the knees led to the development of the Z1.

?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas Brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F1c%2F29%2F5510cf54460ba93e1d6f0f55409b%2Fdnsys Z1 Hiking 06
Image Credits:The system is said to make users feel 44 lb (20 kg) lighter when climbing
Dnsys

The system includes two 1.5-lb (680 g) exoskeletons that fit in a backpack and strap on in 15 seconds. Each uses a 450W motor to assist the calf and thigh with padded supports.

Smart Sensors and AI Deliver Instant, Adaptive Support

Built-in torque, position, and force sensors detect leg movement and activate the motors in just 0.01 seconds. “Dual-core 240-MHz processors learn the user’s movements, allowing smoother, more natural AI assistance.

The AI can also identify different movements and automatically adjust to assist with walking, running, cycling, jumping, squatting, sitting, and standing.

?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas Brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F6d%2Fe2%2Fecfb2d7944d688c976129a86335b%2Fdnsys Z1 Hiking 04
Image Credits:The Z1 is IP54 water-resistant, meaning it can withstand being splashed from any direction
Dnsys

While hiking, the Z1 reportedly extends endurance by an average of 15.5 miles (25 km). Though it adds 3 lb (1.4 kg), the lift assist can make users feel 44 lb (20 kg) lighter during movement.

Each battery lasts up to five hours, with downhill walks helping recharge via energy recovery.

?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewatlas Brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F4d%2F7a%2F9ed75a484f02ac27f6f23b268d73%2Fdnsys Z1 Skiing 02
Image Credits:For joint-punishing activities like downhill skiing, the Z1 is claimed to offload up to 330 lb (150 kg) of knee load
Dnsys

To add to the options, Dnsys is offering the Z1 in three versions. Dnsys offers the mid-tier aluminum/carbon Dual Joint model on Kickstarter for $899 (retail $1,499).

Dnsys sells the 225W Single Joint for $699 (retail $1,099) and the titanium Dual Joint Pro for $1,398 (retail $2,298).


Read the original article on: New Atlas

Read more:Chrome For iOS Now Makes Account Switching Easier

Scroll to Top