Medical Exoskeletons Will Drive Higher Patient Mobility Owing To Elderly Population Care

The Global Medical Exoskeleton Market is one of the emerging healthcare technologies, which involves wearing robotic suits to aid impaired mobility. Medical exoskeletons help support and strengthen weakened muscles or limbs through mechanical force assisting the wearer in various physical activities like walking, reaching or lifting. Powered by electric motors and lithium-ion batteries, these robotic suits can help care for elderly population or rehabilitation of patients with mobility challenges owing to conditions like stroke, multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries.

The Global Medical Exoskeleton Market Growth is estimated to be valued at US$ 411.73 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.4% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.

Key players operating in the medical exoskeleton market are Energizer Holding, Inc., PowerbyProxi, Pathronic AG, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., ConvenientPower HK Limited, Powermat Technologies, WiTricity Corporation, Xiaomi Inc., Integrated Device Technology Inc., Leggett and Platt Inc., and Texas Instruments Inc.

Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the medical exoskeleton market are focusing on developing robotic suits for applications beyond rehabilitation therapy into assisting elderly population with daily living activities. Energizer Holding, Inc. recently launched an upper-body exoskeleton to help caregivers lift patients safely. PowerbyProxi is working on a full-body medical exoskeleton to provide enhanced strength and endurance to elderly users for tasks like grocery shopping or household chores.

The demand for medical exoskeletons is growing owing to ageing population globally which is increasing the patient population requiring mobility assistance. As per United Nations population data, nearly 1 in 6 people in the world will be over age 65 by 2050. This growing geriatric patient pool will continue driving adoption of medical exoskeleton technology in the coming years.

Advancements in battery technology, actuator design and user interface have made medical exoskeletons more lightweight, efficient and user-friendly. Integration of myoelectric sensors for gesture control and gyroscopes for balance assistance has enhanced the functional abilities of newer generation exoskeletons. Ongoing research in material science, power sources and control algorithms will further expand the application scope of medical exoskeletons.

Market Trends

1. Lower Body Exoskeletons: Majority of current medical exoskeleton development is focused on assisting lower body mobility for walking. Ongoing innovations are making these exoskeletons more compact and affordable for home care settings.

2. Upper Body Exoskeletons: With increasing applications beyond rehabilitation, upper body exoskeletons for lifting & transferring patients are gaining prominence. These can help reduce physical strain on healthcare workers.

Market Opportunities

1. Elderly Assistance: As life expectancy increases, medical exoskeletons can provide enhanced quality of life to aging population through independent living supports.

2. Telehealth Integration: Next generation exoskeletons provide an opportunity to integrate sensors for remote patient monitoring and virtual therapy sessions. This can expand access to rehabilitation programs.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Medical Exoskeleton Market

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the growth trajectory of the global medical exoskeleton market. Lockdowns and restrictions imposed during the peak of the pandemic significantly hampered production and supply chain activities. This created a shortage of components and parts required to manufacture exoskeleton systems. With hospitals overwhelmed by COVID-19 patients, demand for rehabilitation exoskeletons also witnessed a steep decline during this period as non-essential procedures were postponed. However, with the accelerated deployment of vaccination programs worldwide, economic activities are gradually restarting. Manufacturers are scaling up production to clear the backlog of orders. Though the immediate growth prospects were subdued in 2020 and 2021, the long-term outlook for the market remains positive given the growing geriatric population and rising number of people suffering from motor disabilities. Post-pandemic, countries are expected to strengthen their healthcare infrastructure to deal with future crises. This will augment the adoption of robotic technologies like medical exoskeletons for rehabilitation and remote therapeutic services.

North America is currently the largest market for medical exoskeletons in terms of value. This is attributed to rising prevalence of spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders in the US and Canada. Favorable reimbursement policies for robotic therapies and presence of major manufacturers in the region have also favored market growth. Furthermore, the aging population base indicates a steady growth in demand for lower body exoskeletons designed to assist elderly mobility. However, Asia Pacific is projected to witness the fastest expansion during the forecast period owing to increasing healthcare spending, large patient pools, and growing focus on motor disability aid technologies by regional governments. Countries like Japan, South Korea and China are likely to emerge as new hotspots for the medical exoskeleton industry.

The European market accounts for significant share of the global medical exoskeleton space concentrated in Western nations such as Germany, France, UK and Italy. Stringent regulations regarding safety and efficacy of robotic devices ensure high quality standards. Major sporting accidents leading to paralysis has boosted demand for upper body exoskeletons assisting arm and hand movements. Moreover, investment in neurological research and advancement of neurotechnology drives innovations and new product launches. Sizable healthcare budgets coupled with universal insurance coverage augur well for long-term sales across Europe.