Rehabilitation Robots Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Therapy Robots, Exoskeleton), By Extremity (Upper Body, Lower Body), By End-use, By Region- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2024-2033

The global rehabilitation robots market size was exhibited at USD 228.00 million in 2023 and is projected to hit around USD 1,143.70 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 17.5% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.

Key Takeaways:

• North America dominated the rehabilitation robots industry in 2023 and accounted for the largest revenue share of 49.0%. 
• Exoskeleton held the largest revenue share of 58.5% in 2023. 
• Based on end-use, the hospitals & clinics segment held the largest revenue share at 47.0% in 2023.
• The lower body extremity held the largest share of 61.0% in 2023.

Rehabilitation Robots Market Report Scope

The growth can be attributed to rising per capita healthcare spending and rapid adoption of technologically advanced equipment in the healthcare sector. The rising prevalence of stroke and the rapidly growing population of older adults are some of the key driving factors responsible for the growth. Technological advancements are also playing a major role in supporting industry growth. Furthermore, increasing disorders such as cumulative trauma disorder, repetitive strain injury, and occupational overuse syndromes further impact the market positively.

According to WHO in 2023, there were around 1.71 billion people globally who suffered from musculoskeletal disorders. This increasing number of people suffering from such conditions is resulting in the high use of rehabilitation robots as these devices help differently abled or physically challenged patients in standing up, balancing, and maintaining gait.

The increasing incidence of spinal cord injury is boosting the growth of rehabilitation robots, as patients suffering from spinal cord injury are recommended to use exoskeleton to improve their condition. This has become a major driver for the adoption of exoskeletons and therapy robots by patients as well as healthcare providers. According to WHO, around 250,000 to 500,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury every year globally, and this increase in the number of patients is resulting in the rising use of exoskeletons.

Furthermore, the demand for rehabilitation robots is increasing, as it provides various benefits; it offers the opportunity to an individual with spinal cord injury to experience walking and standing at a low metabolic cost. Furthermore, technological advancements, such as the incorporation of AI & ML along with advanced sensors also open new opportunities for the market. Another factor that boosts the growth is the increasing percentage of the geriatric population dealing with chronic diseases.

However, the cost of rehabilitation robots is high, which includes the cost of the device, maintenance, standard care hospitalization, and trainers who can operate these devices. These costs combined with other costs make them expensive for consumers. Stringent regulations concerning rehabilitation robots for medical applications may also limit the market growth. Device reliability and user safety are prominent factors considered while regulating medical devices, thus a stringent regulatory process is followed for approval of rehabilitation robots.

This in turn impacts the growth owing to delays in the approval process and commercialization of products that would be beneficial in rehabilitation and other purposes. In addition, certain standards are applied directly to the industry for product approvals. For instance, ISO standards (applicable to relevant industries) have been recognized by FDA, and only rehabilitation robots approved by regulatory bodies can be sold.

COVID-19 significantly impacted the growth of the rehabilitation robots market. Lockdown, travel restriction, temporary shutdown of rehabilitation centers, and prioritization of procedures based on urgency hampered the growth rate for a certain time frame. However, the market is expected to increase rapidly from 2023. Increased strategic initiatives by the key participants and ongoing clinical trials are among the factors expected to positively impact the growth.

Type Insights

Exoskeleton held the largest revenue share of 58.5% in 2023. The growing elderly population is expected to contribute to an increase in the usage of exoskeletons. For instance, according to data published by European Commission in 2022, around 20.6% of the population in Europe was aged over 65. In addition, the prevalence of cerebral palsy, the most common childhood disability, is expected to increase the usage rate of exoskeleton robots.

The growing incidence of paralysis, spinal cord injury, and stroke is a key factor driving the growth of the segment. Increasing awareness and growing adoption of these exoskeletons in medical care are among the key factors boosting the market growth. Spinal cord injuries are among the major causes of impairments and disabilities in patients. Exoskeletons play a vital role in facilitating rehabilitation efforts in patients with spinal trauma and thus, driving industry growth.

However, therapy robots are expected to grow with the fastest CAGR of 18.5%. The growth can be attributed to the growing adoption of therapy robots by the healthcare sector, growing investment in R&D to build technologically advanced products and growing awareness about therapy robots.

End-use Insights

Based on end-use, the hospitals & clinics segment held the largest revenue share 47.0% in 2023. The growth is majorly attributed to growing healthcare expenditure and rapid adoption of advanced technology in healthcare facilities. Moreover, a large population with musculoskeletal disorders, spinal cord injury, and others tend to move to hospitals for rehabilitation services, thereby boosting the growth of the segment.

In addition, surging awareness regarding technologically advanced systems, along with a rise in the number of FDA approvals on medical exoskeletons, is anticipated to drive the segmental growth. The expansion of line up by key players for improving robotic technology to empower people to let people get back to their daily activities is one of the critical factors expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

However, senior care facilities are expected to grow with the fastest CAGR due to the rising population of older adults. Furthermore, growing government initiatives to build senior care facilities all over the world and increasing demand to provide better healthcare facilities for senior citizens further boost the market growth.

Extremity Insights

The lower body extremity held the largest share of 61.0% in 2023. An increase in the prevalence of lower body disabilities, a rapidly aging population, and paralyzed patients are anticipated to boost the adoption, penetration, & growth of the lower-body segment. The robotic lower-body exoskeleton is used as an assistance for paralysis of lower limbs and encourages muscle activity in the lower body. These are majorly used by frail elderly & and those suffering from multiple sclerosis, stroke victims, and people with severe gait impairments.

However, the upper body extremity is expected to show the fastest CAGR of 17.6% over the forecast period. This can be attributed to advantages associated with the utilization and adoption of robotic technologies for upper extremities, including neurological impairments, post-stroke rehabilitation, & musculoskeletal issues. In addition, upper body exoskeletons and robots support people with disability and help them manage their daily activities. Thus, driving the segment’s growth.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the rehabilitation robots industry in 2023 and accounted for the largest revenue share of 49.0%. The increasing prevalence of spinal cord injury in the region is fueling the market growth. The rising geriatric population and growing disabled population are among the factors boosting the adoption of rehabilitation robots. According to the 2022 datasheet published by CDC, around one in four persons in the country has some or the other form of disability.

Such statistics indicate the presence of a larger population that would benefit from the adoption of rehabilitation robots, thereby propelling regional growth. Furthermore, continuous development in technology and high research expenditure in the healthcare sector by government agencies are boosting the market growth in North America. The presence of private entities offering funds for R&D to develop technologically advanced products is further fueling the growth.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to register the fastest CAGR of 24.4% over the forecast period. The growing elderly population in the Asia Pacific is the leading cause for the adoption of rehabilitation robots. According to a report by World Bank, the geriatric population is expected to reach approximately 1.3 billion by the end of 2050. Moreover, the growing strategic initiatives, such as mergers & acquisitions, the launch of new products, and collaborations, are anticipated to boost the growth of the regional industry. Hence, these factors are anticipated to propel growth in the forthcoming years.

Some of the prominent players in the rehabilitation robots market include:

• Tyromotion GmbH
• Life Science Robotics ApS
• Hocoma AG (DIH International Ltd.)
• Rex Bionics Ltd
• Kinova Inc.
• Rehab-Robotics Company Limited
• ReWalk Robotics Ltd
• Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc.
• Cyberdyne Inc.
• Bionik Laboratories Corporation

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global rehabilitation robots market.

Type

• Therapy Robots
• Exoskeleton

Extremity

• Upper Body
• Lower Body

End-use

• Hospitals & Clinics
• Senior care facilities
• Homecare Settings

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)