Haier has released its third-generation exoskeleton W3, equipped with artificial intelligence. This wearable robot weighs only 1.75 kg and costs 2200 US dollars. It features an AI-based gait training function that adapts to the user's natural walking patterns in real time. This device is now available for purchase in official stores in Guangzhou.
A Haier exoskeleton demonstration center has opened in Guangzhou, showcasing the robotic exoskeleton W3 with a hip joint. Weighing 1.75 kg and priced at 2200 US dollars (equivalent to 15,999 yuan), the W3 model marks a significant step toward making wearable robotics accessible to a wider range of consumers, especially the elderly and those requiring mobility assistance.
The W3 utilizes a belt and leg lift design typical of pelvic exoskeletons. However, thanks to the use of carbon fiber and compact motor design, its weight is only 60% of similar products on the market. Although the auxiliary torque is relatively modest—16 Nm—testing has shown this is sufficient for medium-weight users of Asian build. The device provides a noticeable lift when climbing stairs without forcing or pulling the user.
The main distinction of the W3 is its AI-based gait training algorithm. Unlike earlier models, which required the user to conform to rigid mechanical movement templates, the W3 learns the user's natural walking style over several minutes. During tests, the device initially required deliberate steps to activate assistance, but after a short walk, it began anticipating steps based on subtle weight shifts. The artificial intelligence can differentiate between weight shifts during standing and intentional movement, eliminating false positives that were a problem with previous generations of devices.
Haier also introduced the W3 Mom Edition, specifically designed for the physique of Asian women, addressing a common industry issue of exoskeleton universality. A special mini-step mode, created for elderly users with shorter and more frequent steps, demonstrates the AI's ability to adapt to various demographic groups. The gait recognition algorithm operates at a high frequency to handle the fast mechanical cycle of short-stepped walking—a technically challenging mode for systems with long levers.
Despite the W3 representing significant progress in weight, AI integration, and user adaptation, its price of 2200 US dollars still makes it too expensive for mass home adoption. Nevertheless, in the context of accelerating technological development, the previous generation was heavier and less intelligent. The development trajectory suggests that within one or two generations, AI-based exoskeletons could become practical consumer devices for supporting the mobility of the elderly, rehabilitation, and outdoor activities such as hiking.
Industry observers note that exoskeletons serve as a transitional product toward full home robotics. While exoskeletons assist human movement, true home robots will perform tasks autonomously. The AI capabilities developed for exoskeletons, particularly adaptive gait learning and user intent prediction, are foundational technologies that will directly transfer to next-generation home robots.
A domestic robot developed to perform tasks such as folding clothes, making beds, and organizing environments is gaining attention in the technology sector, according to a report by New Atlas. The Isaac 1 model, manufactured by Weave Robotics, aims to integrate automation into daily home routines, although it has not yet achieved full operational independence.
Weave Robotics had recently launched the Isaac 0, which focused primarily on the function of folding garments. The Isaac 1 represents a more ambitious evolution, being capable of navigating the residence and executing various daily activities. The company itself describes this project as the ideal robot for people's homes, emphasizing its purpose for direct domestic use, rather than merely experimental.
This new prototype features a friendlier design, characterized by a padded structure and discreet eyes. It moves autonomously, able to adjust its height between approximately 90 cm and 1.75 m, and can follow household commands. However, it is not fully autonomous; in certain situations, teleoperation is necessary, during which a human operator monitors the cameras and assists the robot in real time.
The listed capabilities include folding clothes in the home environment, organizing rooms and areas of the house, assisting with bed making, moving using a motorized base, and adjusting its height according to the task's needs. This hybrid model raises questions about the extent to which automation can replace daily human labor.
The Isaac 1 is available on the market for US$ 8,000 (equivalent to about R$ 40,000) or through a monthly subscription of US$ 449 (approximately R$ 2,250 per month). There is also an option to reserve it with a deposit of US$ 250 (about R$ 1,250). The initial launch is scheduled to take place in the United States, specifically starting in California, where the company plans to test the robot under real conditions before expanding distribution.
Despite advancements compared to the previous generation, the Isaac 1 operates at an intermediate point, combining partial autonomy with the need for human intervention. Weave Robotics assures that improvements will be implemented through software updates, which should increase its functionalities over time. At present, it is evident that while the robot performs concrete household tasks, it still relies on human supervision to operate completely within a residence.
