Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology Type (Powered and Passive), By Application (Rehabilitation, Assistive, Body Parts Support, and Sports), By Body Part (Lower Body, Upper Body, and Full Body), By Actuation Technology (Electric, Hydraulic, Fully Mechanical, and Others), By End User (Healthcare, Manufacturing, Defense & Aerospace, and Commercial), and Regional Forecasts, 2023-2030

The global wearable robotic exoskeleton market size was valued at USD 0.90 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 1.24 billion in 2023 to USD 14.67 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 42.2% during the forecast period.

Wearable robotic exoskeletons are devices that help with mobility. Exoskeletons aid mobility by storing energy in compressed gas bags, which are both passive and motorized. These devices assist personal mobility and can be used by various people working in several industries such as healthcare, logistics, construction, military, defense, and manufacturing.

The wearable robotic exoskeleton sector has allowed an exceptional degree of robotic utilization as these advancements thoroughly fit with the human body structure as required. Exoskeleton technology has the potential to drastically modify our approach to life. This product can considerably help the economy and introduce new employment requirements in the coming years as they are becoming a part of everyday work culture.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Creation of Productive Opportunities for Service Providers Globally During COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic led an unexpected shutdown throughout multiple locations provides lucrative opportunities for exoskeleton manufacturers owing to the rise in demand for healthcare, and industrial spaces. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided lucrative industry possibilities for goods and service providers who focus on adopting partnership and acquisition as key developmental strategies to boost the demand for these products from several industries, fueling the growth of the market. For instance, in October 2020, CYBERDYNE Inc. received permission from the Australian Ministry of Health for the lower limb type device, i.e., HAL medical, which is aimed to improve the wearer's physical function. Furthermore, the U.S. healthcare industry has been observed using telehealth experiences to respond to the urgencies produced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Moreover, major players and suppliers reported an increasing demand for these products from various industries, and also by adopting acquisition of new orders in the regions. All such aforementioned factors are driving the growth of the market.

LATEST TRENDS

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Integration of Smart Technologies in Robots to Boost the Market

Exoskeleton devices find their applications in numerous industries such as medical, healthcare, engineering industries, logistics, and industrial sectors across the globe. Also, technological advancements such as virtual guidance, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and interactive learning & digital assistants in robots are implemented in these products by manufacturers. For instance, in January 2021, suitX introduced a new device named ShieldX. It is specifically designed for assisting healthcare and medical users. It reduces the weight of heavy anti-radiation and supports the spine and shoulders. It aims to reduce back and neck injuries carrying a huge weight.

Major players are introducing new products which are battery-powered, attachable, detachable, and high torque-efficient products in the market. Additionally, key players are investing in the research and development expenditure to bring new technological advancements in the products, which are the latest trends in the global wearable robotic exoskeleton market growth.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Adoption of Exoskeleton Devices in the Medical Industry to Fuel Growth

Growing demand for exoskeleton devices in the medical and healthcare industries due to an increase in congenital physical diseases, increase in accidents, and other factors that are driving the growth of the market. In 2018, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistics Center (NSCIAC), approximately 288,000 people in the U.S. suffered a spinal cord injury, with an annual incidence of approximately 17,700 new cases per year. Similarly, in 2018, according to various organizations, around one million people and 2.4 million population suffered from multiple sclerosis, which drives the growth of the market.

In addition, a new robotic exoskeleton with a light and soft suit is used in the rehabilitation of children and adults. According to the American Heart Association, more than 6.5 million Americans have suffered a stroke, with about 0.80 million more each year, and about 60% of the population has suffered from lower extremity disease, driving the demand for these products.

In addition, key players are actively strengthening their market positions by launching technologically competitive devices in the healthcare industry to sustain themselves in the global market. For example, in January 2020, GenElex Technologies announced that it will focus on manufacturing external surgical devices for people with paralysis, strokes, and spinal cord injuries. The company's exoskeletal devices would further enhance human limbic abilities. Such factors are responsible for the growth of the market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Huge Investments and Non-coverage of Wearable Robotic Devices by Insurance Companies to Detain Market Growth

Robotic exoskeletons are now largely used in lifting and assisting elder person, and children during mobility. Also, population who suffered from multiple disorders who adopts this type of products. These robots are found applications in military industry, owing to increase the durability of warfighters on the battle ships by adding safety measures, drives the growth of wearable robotic exoskeleton market share.

 However, the huge investment cost required for these products restrains the market growth. Integration of sensors, software, training, installation, and aftermarket services would add to the total ownership costs. Additionally, these products have cost ranging from USD 10,000 to USD 80,000. Such huge amount of investment is required for purchasing products.

SEGMENTATION

By Technology Type Analysis

Powered Segment to Hold Dominant Market Share Due to Increasing Demand from Healthcare Sector

By technology type, the market is segmented into passive and powered.

Growing demand for battery powered exoskeletons in the medical, healthcare and industrial sectors is fueling the market growth. Battery-powered robots can lift weight and allows more efficient mobility with less damage. As a result, this segment is expected to witness the highest annual growth during the forecast period.

 In addition, the passive segment is expected growing with potential growth during the forecast period.

By Application Analysis

Assistive Segment Dominates the Market due to Increasing Penetration of this System among End Users

Based on application, the market is segmented into rehabilitation, assistive, body parts support, and sports.

The assistive segment dominates the market with a CAGR of 41.8%; the system is adopted for assistive purposes by end users such as healthcare, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. An increasing demand for exoskeletons to assist personal mobility among end users fuels the growth of the market.

The body parts support segment is anticipated to grow with the highest share of 44.4% during the forecast period due to increasing number of Parkinson’s diseases, such as strokes, and body movement disorders across India, Japan, the U.S., and others, which creates the demand for wearable robotic exoskeleton. For instance, cases of body disorders in the U.S. are projected to grow by 29.1% from 2020 to 2030.

The rehabilitation segment and sports segment are growing with high potential growth during the forecast period due to increasing number of geriatric population and handicapped populations across the globe, which fuels the demand for these products from the healthcare sector.

By Body Part Analysis

Lower Body Segment to Dominate the Market Owing to Increasing Number of Body Disorders across the Globe

Based on body part, the market is classified into lower body, upper body, and full body.

The lower body segment dominates the market with a CAGR of 42.1% during the forecast period due to the increasing number of lower body disability and rising penetration rate of wearable robotic exoskeleton from the aging population and paralyzed population. Moreover, this type of system is largely used by people in the military and defense sector.

The upper body segment is anticipated to grow with the highest CAGR of 42.8% during the forecast period due to benefits associated with this system for upper body support for post stroke population, musculoskeletal, and neurological impairment.

The full body segment is growing with substantial growth, with a CAGR of 41.3% during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for body disorders cases and leg and spinal injuries, which impacted the full body of the individual. This, in turn, increased the demand for wearable robotic exoskeleton, which led to the growth of the market.

By Actuation Technology Analysis 

Electric Segment Dominates with the Highest Growth Rate Due to High Effectiveness of Technology

Based on actuation technology, the market is segmented into electric, hydraulic, fully mechanical, and others (pneumatic).

Electric segment dominates the market with a growth rate of 42.8% during the forecast period due to benefits associated with these systems such as innovative, very low power consuming, lightweight, and portable. Such factors boost the growth of the market.

This system is assembled by making components such as levers, pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic technologies, which equally distribute the energy put on joints or muscles. Wearable robotic exoskeleton can support the wearer’s overall physical performance.

The hydraulic, fully mechanical, and others (pneumatic) segments are growing with moderate growth rate during the forecast period due to features such as versatility, safety, and use for body assisting support in various industries such as manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, and defense.

By End User Analysis

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Healthcare Segment to Grow Significantly Due to Rising Number of Users 

By end user, the market is segmented into healthcare, defense & aerospace, manufacturing, and commercial.

Healthcare segment is expected to increase at a high rate owing to rising installation of wearable robotic exoskeleton products from the healthcare and medical sectors. Exoskeletons have been used in a variety of applications to improve worker capabilities. Also, major players are focusing on introducing products to the healthcare sector. For instance, in March 2021, Ekso Bionics based in U.S. signed a collaboration with Physiatry Society for doctor utility. This agreement helped in improving the product portfolio of wearable robotic exoskeleton for diversified geographic locations.

The manufacturing segment witnesses a substantial growth rate due to the increasing adoption of these systems in the automotive and electronic manufacturing sectors, which fuels the growth of the market. Automotive, shipping, and electronic manufacturing companies such as Honda, BMW, Hyundai, and Ford, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, and Siemens are using these products.

Moreover, defense & aerospace segment is likely to account for a significant portion of the market. Soldiers are currently needed to carry 40 to 300 KG of weight. As a result, these applications are projected to increase significantly in the future years.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The regional analysis comprises five major regions, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America is anticipated to dominate the market, owing to the major players are having a presence in the U.S., and contributed a significant share in the market. Furthermore, substantial investments in wearable robotics by regional players are anticipated to create more opportunities for the development of advanced exoskeletons, with a variety of options and features based on the prevalent market trends.

Increase in Investments in the Robotic Sector to Accelerate Market Growth

The U.S. is expected to hold a dominant share of the market. Its prevailing position in the global market is owed to cumulative investments by the public and private organizations in the robotics sector. In addition, the emphasis on R&D activities for the development of efficient products, with increasing technological adoption for applications in the industrial, healthcare, and military & defense sectors, is boosting the market share globally.

Asia Pacific is projected to showcase exponential growth, with the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This is on account of the rising awareness and advantageous use of wearable robotics in manufacturing and construction activities. The rise in the production of the robots for the defense sector is expected to be a major factor driving the market, with China, Japan, and South Korea estimated to be the major revenue-generating economies.

Europe is also expected to hold a notable share of the market. It is set to remain in the second position due to its ongoing technological advancements along with R&D activities and the prevailing presence of exoskeleton manufacturers in the region.

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Besides, South America, the Middle East & Africa are expected to exhibit reasonable year-on-year growth in the coming years, owing to the shift of the market from North America to Asia Pacific. This is expected to make the company focus more on developing countries present in these regions, with consumers having adequate purchasing power.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players to Focus on Developing Advanced Exoskeletons to Expand Product Portfolios

The markets nature is highly fragmented owing to the presence of some local and regional players available in the market. Cyberdyne Inc, Lockheed Martin, Ekso Bionics, ExoAtlet, Hocoma, Bionik Laboratories, and Sarcos Corp. are some of the major players, accounting for around 45% to 47% of the global market share.

The contribution of key players due to their dominant presence in the professional service robotics market and key development strategies implemented by them. End users tend to buy these products from trusted names and maintain the good profit share in the market. Additionally, these players offer exoskeletons for the construction and manufacturing sector as per the needs and applications. As a result, these manufacturers are expected to gain lucrative opportunities to boost their business through the development of innovative wearable robotic exoskeleton products during the forecast period.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• CYBERDYNE, INC. (Japan)


• Ekso Bionics (U.S.)


• Hocoma (Switzerland)


• ReWalk Robotics (U.S.)


• Bionik Laboratories Corp. (Canada)


• ExoAtlet (Luxembourg)


• Lockheed Martin (U.S.)


• Rex Bionics Pty Ltd. (U.S.)


• Sarcos Corp. (U.S.)


• Wearable Robotics Srl (Italy)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• July 2021 - Cyberdyne Inc. signed a collaboration with J-Workout Corporation based in U.S. The collaboration was done for improving the new services to deliver for devices.


• March 2021 – Cyberdyne Inc signed a collaboration with J-Workout Corporation, a Japan-based gym specializing in spinal cord injury. The aim of this collaboration was to improve the service and product portfolio of the medical and healthcare sectors.


• November 2021 - ReWalk Robotics Ltd launched a new orthotic exo-suit exoskeleton. This system is battery operated specially designed for assisting medical operations among patients. It is used for home as well as community use.


• March 2021 - Hocomo, a subsidiary of DIH International Limited, signed a partnership with Reha Technology to distribute wearable exoskeleton products through Germany, the U.S., and Switzerland.


• March 2021 – Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA launched a new Paexo shoulder jacket, Paexo thumb slib, and Paexo cool sleeve at the Hannover Messe Digital Event, at Germany. This product is used for demanding and lifting activities.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Wearable Robotic Exoskeleton Market

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The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, technology types, and leading product applications. Besides, it offers insights into the current market trends and highlights driving forces and opportunities for technological development, advancements, and competitive benchmarking. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth of the market in recent years.

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