Dnsys Z1 Knee Exoskeleton: Defy Gravity, Go Beyond

Hikers know the rule: ascents tax your lungs, descents destroy your knees. Every downhill step loads the joints, and many outdoor careers end not from fitness but from knees. Dnsys, founded in 2021 by robotics veterans from DJI, Segway and Xiaomi, already shipped several joint exoskeletons before this. The Z1 is the world's first knee-focused exoskeleton: self-developed knee motors deliver up to 900W, with a unique structure transmitting force to both thigh and calf simultaneously for lift-and-push dual output. It provides up to 50% intelligent leg assistance, offloading up to 330 lbs (~150 kg) of knee pressure — the maker claims +15.5 miles of hiking range and +9.3 miles of vertical climbing. The team backs it with 20+ patents and engineers making up 90% of staff. Launched in July 2025, it drew 2,214 backers and about HK$20.74 million (roughly $2.66M), around 51,862% funded.