Medical Exoskeleton Market: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, till 2035 - Distribution by Body Part Covered, Mode of Operation, Form of Exoskeleton, Mobility, End Users, and Key Geographical Regions

Increasing Application Areas and Improving Affordability Driving Market Growth

The global medical exoskeleton market is anticipated to grow from $1.09 billion in 2024 to $8.70 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 20.8% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2035. The potential for medical exoskeletons is immense, with a vast addressable market stemming from the significant patient population in need of mobility assistance. Statistics suggest that neurological diseases represent a significant public health challenge, with an estimated global burden of over one billion people affected. According to the Lancet Neurology Commission, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global public-health problem, which afflicts 55 million people worldwide, whereas another research suggests that currently, 20.6 million individuals are suffering from spinal cord injury.

Despite the immense population with mobility disorders, the exoskeleton market remains relatively niche, gradually gaining traction. It can be attributed to various factors, including the high costs associated with exoskeleton technology and a general lack of awareness among both patients and healthcare providers. However, as technological advancements continue and awareness spreads, the medical exoskeleton market is poised for expansion, promising improved accessibility and quality of life for individuals in need of mobility support. In fact, several companies are developing exoskeleton technology integrated with advanced features such as controllers and software applications that enable users and clinicians to set goals, adjust assistance levels, and analyze movement patterns to meet personalized rehabilitation plans.

Exoskeleton market is not limited to just medical exoskeletons, but these tools find several applications beyond medical use in industries such as military, industry and other areas.

Medical Exoskeleton Market Share Insights

The market research report presents an in-depth analysis of the various companies that are engaged in the medical exoskeleton industry, across different segments, as defined below:

• Historical Trend: 2018-2023
• Base Year: 2023
• Forecast Period: 2024-2035
• Market Size in 2024: $1.09 Billion
• CAGR: 20.8%
• Body Part Covered
  • Upper Extremity
  • Lower Extremity
  • Full Body
• Mode of Operation
  • Powered
  • Passive
  • Hybrid
• Form
  • Rigid
  • Soft
• Mobility
  • Fixed / Supported
  • Mobile
• End Users
  • Patients
  • Healthcare Providers
• Geography
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Rest of the World
• Key Medical Exoskeleton Companies Profiled
  • Bionic Yantra
  • CYBERDYNE
  • Ekso Bionics
  • ExoAtlet
  • Fourier Intelligence
  • Gloreha
  • Guangzhou Yikang Medical Equipment
  • Hexar Humancare
  • Hocoma
  • MediTouch
  • Milebot Robotics
  • Myomo
  • Neofect
  • NextStep Robotics
  • Panasonic
  • ReWalk Robotics
  • Rex Bionics
  • Roam Robotics
  • Trexo Robotics
  • Tyromotion
  • U&O Technologies
  • (Full list of 95+ companies captured is available in the report)
• Customization Scope: 15% customization available
  • Excel Data Packs (Complimentary)
  • Medical Exoskeleton Market Landscape
  • Product Competitiveness Analysis
  • Partnership and Collaboration Analysis
  • Patent Analysis
  • Blue Ocean Strategy
  • Market Forecast and Opportunity Analysis

Medical Exoskeleton Market Segmentation Overview

Market Share by Body Part Covered

Based on the body part covered, the medical exoskeleton market is categorized into upper body exoskeletons, lower body exoskeletons and full body exoskeletons. The lower body exoskeleton segment occupies the highest share in 2024. It can be attributed to the surge in number of companies offering lower body medical exoskeletons. Further, price estimates from the industry suggest that the average cost of a lower body medical exoskeleton is nearly 1.5 times the cost of its upper body counterpart, which is another factor contributing to the increased revenue share of lower body medical exoskeletons. Further, the full body medical exoskeletons segment is anticipated to show the highest market growth potential during the forecast period.

Market Share by Mode of Operation

Based on mode of operation, the medical exoskeleton market is categorized into powered exoskeletons, passive exoskeletons and hybrid exoskeletons. The powered medical exoskeleton segment currently occupies the highest market share and this trend is expected to remain same during the forecast period. the research suggests that annually, over 7,000 powered exoskeletons are sold for medical use. Despite passive exoskeleton shipments surpassing those of powered ones, the latter generates higher revenue due to their higher average prices. Further, the passive exoskeletons segment is projected to grow at a relatively higher growth rate during the forecast period. These exoskeletons, devoid of complex electronic components, provide essential ergonomic support without the need for actuators or batteries, translating to lower upfront costs and reduced maintenance expenses for the end users.

Market Share by Form

Based on their form, the medical exoskeleton market is segmented into rigid exoskeletons and soft exoskeletons. Presently, the market is being driven by the sales of rigid exoskeletons. The widespread adoption of powered exoskeletons in the medical sector predominantly favors rigid constructions. In fact, over 60% of the medical exoskeleton are rigid to support the patients with weakened muscles and improve their lost functionality. Further, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of soft exoskeletons segment is higher than their rigid counterparts. Notably, despite their anthropomorphic design, medical soft exoskeletons are predominantly utilized for targeted applications, focusing on specific body parts such as thumb and knee.

Market Share by Mobility

Based on mobility, the medical exoskeleton market is segmented into stationary and mobile. The market is dominated by revenues generated through mobile / overground walking medical exoskeletons. Mobile exoskeletons are more in demand than stationary ones for rehabilitation purposes because they allow patients to perform tasks such as walking, standing up, or climbing stairs, which are essential for regaining functional independence. Furthermore, mobile exoskeletons can be used in various environments, including home settings, outpatient clinics, and community spaces, enabling patients to continue their rehabilitation outside of traditional healthcare facilities.

Market Share by End Users

Based on the end users, the medical exoskeleton market is segmented into patients and healthcare professionals. The market for healthcare professionals focused exoskeletons is still relatively nascent, with limited competition and innovation compared to patient-focused exoskeletons, which generate the majority of revenues. Real-world evidence highlights the applications and benefits of exoskeletons designed for doctors and nurses, particularly in addressing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which account for 95% of recognized occupational illnesses in the healthcare sector. For example, a hospital in France conducted a pilot study on medical exoskeletons, receiving positive qualitative feedback from nurses regarding improvements in posture, reduced fatigue, and pain relief. While medical exoskeletons offer clear benefits in areas such as performing long duration surgery and rehabilitation of paralyzed patients, their complexity and training requirements can hinder adoption, particularly in busy healthcare environments.

Market Share by Key Geographical Regions

Based on the key geographical regions, the medical exoskeleton market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Rest of the World. North America dominated the medical exoskeletons market and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024. Further, harmonization of regulations is a positive development, which is likely to drive the adoption of exoskeletons, especially in the developing countries. As the prices of these rehabilitating devices drop, the medical exoskeleton market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to pick up momentum, exhibiting a relatively higher growth rate.

Medical Exoskeleton Market: Key Insights

The market report features an extensive study of the current market landscape, market size, market forecast and future opportunities for the companies involved in the medical exoskeletons industry. The market report highlights the efforts of several medical exoskeleton companies engaged in this rapidly growing segment of the exoskeleton industry. Key takeaways of the market report are briefly discussed below.

Market Landscape Analysis: Medical Exoskeleton Companies

The current landscape features the presence of over 95 large, mid-sized and small exoskeleton companies. These exoskeleton companies design, develop and commercialize medical exoskeleton technology for patients, healthcare providers and researchers. The market landscape is dominated by the presence of small players, with less than 50 employees; some examples of such medical exoskeleton companies include (in alphabetical order) BIOMOTUM, Endoenergy Systems, EXOesqueleto REHAB, Hellstern medical and HoustonBionics. In terms of the product portfolio of medical exoskeleton companies, 50 products are equipped with gamification features.

Further, over 40% of the products offer personalized control exoskeleton technology, collecting detailed data on aspects such as gait, posture, and muscle activity, and then employing real-time data processing and advanced machine learning techniques to construct a profile for each user. Examples of exoskeletons offering customized assistance exoskeleton technology include (in alphabetical order) AI Lower Limb Intelligent Feedback Training System A1-3, AMBLE, EksoGT, Exomotion hand one, Hand Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Robot, Hyundai Medical Exoskeleton (H-MEX), Noac, RESILION K30A, UGO220 and URA.

Additionally, only 1% of the medical exoskeletons have received the breakthrough device designation. For instance, in 2021, NeuroSolutions received FDA breakthrough device designation for their exoskeleton technology, IspiHand designed for patients with chronic stroke. In the same year, ReWalk Robotics received FDA breakthrough device designation for their ReBoot exoskeleton for patients with lower limb disorders.

Market Restraints: Exoskeleton Technology is Still in Its Infancy

Exoskeleton technology, still in its early stages, faces several barriers to mass adoption. Nevertheless, without improvements in the affordability of exoskeleton technology, achieving mass adoption, even with high-end technology, remains challenging. Consequently, companies are implementing novel initiatives to enhance affordability, such as offering financing and reimbursement options, as well as providing diverse purchasing choices like leasing and subscription models.

Market Drivers Analysis: Increasing Application Areas and Improving Affordability is Driving the Medical Exoskeleton Market Growth

Companies are addressing the above challenge by enhancing exoskeletons with new features, aiming for a first-mover advantage in specific functionalities to gain market traction. For example, in March 2023, ReWalk Robotics exoskeleton received FDA approval to aid walking up stairs and curbs, whereas its contemporary devices have only received approval for use on flat surfaces and low-grade slopes.

Additionally, there is an increasing focus on expanding therapeutic applications as well as geographical reach of medical exoskeleton technology. For instance, CYBERDYNE's HAL exoskeleton, which was originally developed in Japan, gained FDA clearance approval for new indications in the US. Further, some approved exoskeletons have introduced fall protection and / or self-balancing features to boost adoption amongst the rehabilitation community. In fact, the focus is gradually shifting from heavy exoskeletons used in rehabilitation hospitals and clinics to lighter versions for at-home use.

Apart from focusing on affordability, exoskeleton companies are undertaking several strategic initiatives in order to build customer trust post the sale of their product. These companies collaborate with third-party service providers to deliver remote technical support, to address use issues. Along with this, the companies are offering customized product training to meet the user’s requirement, facilitating the ease of use and to improve the user’s recovery process. All these factors are anticipated to drive medical exoskeleton market growth.

Market Trends Analysis: Rise in Strategic Deals in the Medical Exoskeleton Market

The number of partnerships related to medical exoskeleton technology have increased significantly at a CAGR of 55% during the time period of the study. Stakeholders in the industry are known to adopt a variety of partnership models in order to collaborate with other companies / organizations. Such deals enable the exoskeleton developers to expand their product portfolios, and also gain additional capabilities related to advanced technologies.

Fourier Intelligence emerged as the most active player, having inked the maximum number of collaborations. Notable examples of players that partnered with Fourier Intelligence include (in reverse chronological order of the partnership) WQ Park Health and Rehabilitation Center (June 2023), and MyndTec (May 2023), Flinders University (March 2023).

Further, the majority (over 20%) of the partnerships signed in this domain were distribution agreements. Exoskeleton developers are increasingly expanding their distribution networks across various hospitals, rehabilitation centers and non-profit organizations. In terms of geography, the maximum partnership activity was reported in Asia-Pacific, signifying the growing prominence of this geography as the hub for the development, commercialization, and utilization of exoskeleton technology.

Technological Advancements in the Exoskeleton Market: Exosuit Technology Providing Lighter and More Flexible Options

Exosuits utilize soft, fabric-based materials and are designed to seamlessly integrate with the user's body movements, resulting in a more natural and comfortable experience. However, despite their advantages, exoskeletons employing exosuit technology may not provide as much assistance or support as rigid exoskeletons to larger areas of the body. As a result, these are primarily designed for targeted body parts, such as thumb, hand, wrist, angle and wrist. Currently, only 33% of medical exoskeletons incorporate the soft exosuit technology.

Medical Exoskeleton Market Size Analysis: By Region, North America Holds the Largest Market Share

Currently, the medical exoskeletons market is primarily concentrated in North America due to a higher number of exoskeleton providers and the implementation of emerging exoskeleton technologies in this region compared to other areas. Approximately 39 million Americans live with motor impairments, making physical impairment the most prevalent disability in the US. Additionally, 1 in 7 adults experience difficulties with mobility such as walking or climbing stairs. Moreover, individuals in developed nations like North America generally have greater financial capacity to afford expensive exoskeletons, often supported by reimbursement options. Furthermore, an increase in government initiatives and policies in the US has driven the growth of the exoskeleton market. For example, ReWalk Robotics partnered with the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a national policy aimed at providing exoskeletons to all eligible veterans with spinal cord injuries.

Key Players Engaged in Medical Exoskeleton Market

Examples of key players (which have also been profiled in this report) engaged in medical exoskeleton industry include (in alphabetical order) Bionic Yantra, CYBERDYNE, Ekso Bionics, ExoAtlet, Fourier Intelligence, Gloreha, Guangzhou Yikang Medical Equipment, Hexar Humancare, Hocoma, MediTouch, Milebot Robotics, Myomo, Neofect, NextStep Robotics, Panasonic, ReWalk Robotics, Rex Bionics, Roam Robotics, Trexo Robotics, Tyromotion and U&O Technologies. This market report includes an easily searchable excel database of all the exoskeleton companies worldwide.

Recent Developments in the Medical Exoskeleton Market

Several recent developments have taken place in the field of medical exoskeletons. the analyst has outlined some of these recent initiatives below. These developments, even if they took place post the release of the market report, substantiate the overall trends that have been outlined in the market analysis.

• In February 2024, the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Prosthetic Center of National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL) unveiled a robotic exoskeleton, known as TWAIN, to allow individuals with reduced or even absent motor abilities in the lower limbs, to maintain an upright position, walk with the assistance of crutches or walkers, and to stand up and sit down.
• In January 2024, engineers from the University of Colorado Boulder, US, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) introduced SNAP, a stretchable microneedle adhesive patch about the size of a band-aid, designed to adhere to the skin and capture electromyography (EMG) signals from human muscles, potentially enhancing the efficiency of operating robotic exoskeletons.
• In January 2024, several medical exoskeleton companies participated in the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), one of the largest tech conferences in the world, and exhibited products ranging from AI-powered assistants to wearable robots.
• Starting in January 2024, ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton platform by ReWalk Robotics is being classified within the Medicare brace benefit category.
• In November 2023, ReWalk Robotics announced the successful demonstration of proof-of-concept with its next-generation prototype exoskeleton, which incorporates sensing technologies and AI to enable autonomous decision-making.

Medical Exoskeleton Market Report Coverage

The report presents an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders engaged in the market, across different regions. Amongst other elements, the report includes:

• A preface providing an overview of the full report, Medical Exoskeleton Market: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, till 2035.
• An outline of the systematic research methodology adopted to conduct the study on medical exoskeletons, providing insights on the various assumptions, methodologies, and quality control measures employed to ensure accuracy and reliability of the findings.
• An overview of economic factors that impact the medical exoskeleton market, including historical trends, currency fluctuation, foreign exchange impact, recession, and inflation measurement.
• An executive summary of the key insights captured during the research. It offers a high-level view on the current state of the medical exoskeleton market and its likely evolution in the short to mid and long term.
• A general overview of exoskeleton industry, highlighting details on origin of exoskeletons. It also provides information on classification of exoskeleton, along with applications, features and limitations associated with exoskeleton. Further, it concludes with a discussion on future perspectives in this domain.
• An overview of the current market landscape of medical exoskeletons based on relevant parameters, such as status of development (commercialized and under development), body part covered (upper extremity, lower extremity and full body), mode of operation (powered exoskeleton, passive exoskeleton and hybrid), form of exoskeleton (rigid and soft exosuit), device mobility (fixed site / stationary and mobile), user-machine interface (no interface, app based, handheld controller, on-device buttons / control panels and brain control), advanced features of exoskeleton (data capture / quantifiable motion metrics, gamification and customized assistance), end users (patients, medical professionals and researchers), patient age group (pediatric - adolescent, and adolescent - elderly), exoskeleton setting for patients (at home / community, and rehabilitation centers) and grant of breakthrough device designation. It also includes information on exoskeleton technology / software, maximum weight of exoskeleton, maximum weight carrying capacity and exoskeleton dimensions. Furthermore, the chapter presents a list of players engaged in the development / commercialization of medical exoskeletons, along with information on their year of establishment, company size, location of headquarters, company ownership and additional services offered. Further, it also highlights the most active companies (in terms of number of medical exoskeleton offered) in the medical exoskeleton market.
• An insightful product competitiveness analysis of medical exoskeleton, based on supplier strength (based on years of experience, company size and number of exoskeleton offered), product competitiveness (in terms of device mobility, form of exoskeleton, mode of operation, advanced features of exoskeleton, user-machine interface, additional services offered, breakthrough designation and status of development) and end users.
• Detailed profiles of key medical exoskeleton companies (shortlisted based on the number and application area of wearable exoskeletons in their product portfolio) engaged in offering wearable exoskeleton. Each profile features a brief overview of the company (including information on year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters and leadership team), details related to its financial performance (if available), product portfolio, recent developments and an informed future outlook.
• Tabulated profiles of key medical exoskeleton companies (shortlisted based on the number and application area of wearable exoskeletons in their product portfolio) that are engaged in development of medical exoskeleton. Each tabulated profile features an overview of the company (including information on year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters and leadership team) and information on its product portfolio.
• A detailed medical exoskeleton market analysis of the recent partnerships and collaborations, established since 2017, based on several parameters, such as year of partnership, type of partnership (mergers and acquisitions, product development and commercialization agreements, licensing agreements, service agreements, product development and manufacturing agreements, joint ventures, manufacturing and supply agreements, and product distribution agreements), type of partner (industry and non-industry), business globalization and most active players. It also includes the regional distribution of the companies involved in these agreements.
• An insightful analysis of patents filed / granted for exoskeletons since 2016, taking into consideration various relevant parameters such as type of patent, patent application year, patent publication year, geographical location, type of applicant, publication time, top CPC symbols, leading players (in terms of number of patents filed / granted), along with a detailed patent benchmarking analysis.
• A detailed analysis of the current and future market based on blue ocean strategy, covering a strategic plan / guide for emerging medical exoskeleton companies to help unlock an uncontested market, featuring thirteen strategic tools that can help to shift towards blue ocean to gain a competitive edge in the market.

An in-depth analysis of the factors that can impact the growth of medical exoskeleton market. It also features identification and analysis of key drivers, potential restraints, emerging opportunities, and existing challenges.

One of the key objectives of this market report was to estimate the current market size, opportunity and the future growth potential for medical exoskeleton companies, over the forecast period. Based on multiple parameters, likely adoption trends and through primary validations, the analyst has provided an informed estimate on the market evolution during the forecast period 2024-2035.

The market report also features the likely distribution of the current and forecasted opportunity within the medical exoskeleton market across various segments, such as by body part covered (upper body, lower body and full body), mode of operation (powered, passive and hybrid), form of exoskeleton (rigid and soft), mobility (fixed / supported and mobile), end users (patients and healthcare providers), and key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

In order to account for future uncertainties and to add robustness to the model, the analyst has provided three market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the industry’s growth.

The opinions and insights presented in the market report were influenced by discussions held with stakeholders in the industry. The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with the following industry stakeholders:

• Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Small Company, Spain
• Director of Business Planning and Development, Small Company, Japan
• Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Small Company, USA
• Marketing and Design Manager, Small Company, Canada
• Founder and Director, Small Company, India

All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.

Key Benefits of Buying this Report

• The report offers market leaders and newcomers valuable insights into revenue estimations for both the overall market and its sub-segments.
• Stakeholders can utilize the report to enhance their understanding of the competitive landscape, allowing for improved business positioning and more effective go-to-market strategies.
• The report provides stakeholders with a pulse on the Medical Exoskeleton Market, furnishing them with essential information on significant market drivers, barriers, opportunities, and challenges.