Robotic Exoskeletons Aid Hong Kong Fire Survivors in Returning to Damaged Homes

Four months after a deadly fire devastated an apartment complex in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, elderly residents are using robotic exoskeleton legs to return to their homes and retrieve personal belongings. The technology, provided through humanitarian efforts, is enabling those with mobility challenges to access upper floors of buildings that remain structurally compromised but are now accessible for limited, supervised visits.

The blaze, which occurred in late November 2025, destroyed the Wang Fuk Court estate, killing 168 people and displacing more than 4,000 residents. Many of those affected were older adults who had lived in the complex for decades. As of April 2026, authorities have allowed former residents brief, supervised access to their units between April 20 and May 4, with each household granted a three-hour window to enter and collect what remains.

For individuals like Fanny Mok, a 59-year-old former resident who lived on the 13th floor for 30 years, the physical challenge of climbing stairs in the damaged building is significant. “My knees hurt, I don’t have enough strength and I gain short of breath,” Mok explained in interviews. She is among dozens of survivors using robotic exoskeletons to make the ascent, which would otherwise be difficult or impossible due to age-related mobility limitations.

The exoskeletons in use are developed by Shanghai-based robotics company Hypershell and distributed through the AidVengers Federation, a non-governmental organization supporting disaster recovery efforts. The devices are designed to assist users in climbing stairs and reducing strain on joints, and muscles. Before being permitted to use the equipment, participants must undergo training and pass a practical assessment. According to AidVengers Federation, approximately 70% of trainees successfully complete the certification process.

Organizers emphasize that the initiative addresses both physical and emotional needs. For many survivors, returning to their homes — even briefly — is an important step in processing the trauma of the fire and reclaiming personal items, documents, and memories. The visits are strictly monitored, with time limits enforced to ensure safety and equitable access.

As recovery efforts continue, the use of assistive robotics in disaster response highlights how technology can support vulnerable populations in post-crisis environments. The Hong Kong case demonstrates a growing role for exoskeletons not only in industrial or medical settings but also in humanitarian contexts where accessibility and dignity are central to recovery.

Further details about the deployment, training protocols, and participant experiences are being coordinated by local authorities and partner NGOs involved in the Wang Fuk Court recovery operation.