Power-Assisted Finning?

Divers may soon be able to get a welcome boost to their flutter kicks thanks to an exoskeleton developed by Peking University researchers. By shouldering some of the burden of underwater swimming, the device could also help a diver's air supply last longer.

The exoskeleton has two sealed motor units that mount on the diver's back. These are connected to flexible Bowden cables that run down to lightweight cuffs on the diver's thighs and shanks. A waist strap stabilizes the entire unit. The entire system weighs about 20 pounds.

We've seen Jetboots, Jet Pack, and the Pegasus Thruster in the past, which promised to do the same thing. The researchers say more testing is needed to refine the exoskeleton further. We'll have to wait and see if it does more than its predecessors. (New Atlas)