Exoskeletons

Exorehabilitation is a complex of rehabilitation measures, including training in the exoskeleton, for patients with cerebrospinal injury, cerebral palsy, the consequences of stroke and multiple sclerosis. Training in the exoskeleton leads to a qualitative improvement in health due to the verticalization of the body and walking.

An exoskeleton is a device for replenishing lost functions, increasing the strength of human muscles and expanding the amplitude of movements due to the external frame and adducting parts.

Exoskeletons are widely used in the West. Their development is actively carried out in the USA, Japan, Israel, Germany, China, South Korea; they are used by automotive concerns Ford, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Honda and Hyundai; vessels and aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing; electronics manufacturers - Samsung, Panasonic, Siemens, etc. The global exoskeleton market is estimated at more than $200 million, its annual growth rate exceeds 40%. According to experts, by 2026 the market volume will reach $4 billion.

The import of foreign analogues to Russia is difficult, since foreign-made exoskeletons are dual-use goods. Meanwhile, the Russian exoskeleton market is just forming. In addition to Norilsk Nickel, Exorise, Useful Robots and ExoAtlant are engaged in the development and production of exoskeletons in Russia.

2024

Start of use of exoskeletons and mixed reality technologies at construction sites

In October 2024, it became known that the Hals-Development company began to use the latest technologies at its construction sites - exoskeletons and solutions based on mixed reality, which will significantly increase labor productivity and quality of work. As part of the Build UP program, residents of the Skolkovo innovation center presented their developments for the construction project of the Dubinin 'Sky business center in Moscow. Konstantin Mikhailik, Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of Russia, noted the importance of digitalization and modernization of the industry, emphasizing the high level of innovations being introduced. Read more here

UAZ introduced exoskeletons at the plant

At the Ulyanovsk Automobile Plant (UAZ), tests began on industrial exoskeletons designed to facilitate the work of employees when carrying heavy loads and performing physically complex operations. The introduction of new technology that will help reduce the burden on the back of workers began in September 2024. Exoskeletons were tested by employees of the plant's logistics department, and they have already noted a significant decrease in fatigue and improved working conditions. Read more here

Production of powerful exoskeletons with a winch for lifting cargo has started in Russia

Rusnano launched mass production of powerful exoskeletons. This was reported to the TAdviser portal on August 23, 2024 by representatives of Rusnano. According to them, the devices have no analogues in Russia and are produced from domestic components. Read more here.

Exoskeleton pants for tourists entered the market

At the end of July 2024, exoskeleton pants for tourists manufactured by Arc'teryx, which merged with Skip, an offshoot of Google, entered the market. The electric-powered MO/GO pants feature a lightweight electric motor in the knee area that can increase the strength of a hiker's legs when climbing uphill, as well as absorb impact from colliding with the ground while descending. Read more here

Robotic glove released that makes arm stronger

In early August 2024, Bioservo released the Carbonhand robotic glove, which returns the grip power to weakened hands. The device is aimed at people with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, myositis, osteoarthritis and other diseases that can lead to disorders of the motor activity of the hands. Read more here

In Russia, created an exoskeleton for people with amputation of legs. Patients have already received it

In mid-July 2024, Russian engineers presented an innovative exoskeleton designed for people with amputation of both legs or paralysis of the lower extremities. The first patients have already had the opportunity to test this device, opening up new prospects for rehabilitation and improving the quality of life. Read more here.

Exoskeleton for hiking entered the market

At the end of April 2024, Dnsys introduced the X1 exoskeleton, specially designed for travelers and fans of active pastime. A feature of the novelty is the use of artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize work. Read more here.

Cheap exoskeleton entered the market to protect fingers from stretching at enterprises

In early February 2024, the German company Digity introduced an exoskeleton called Artus, designed specifically to protect fingers from stretching and damage. The product can be used during certain operations at various enterprises, construction sites, etc. Read more here.

Armored exoskeleton for army and police unveiled

At the end of January 2024, the German company Mehler Protection presented the ExoM armored exoskeleton, developed in collaboration with the Canadian technology firm Mawashi Science & Technology. The novelty is designed for soldiers, police officers, employees of special assault units, etc. Read more here.

Exoskeleton released to treat knee pain

On January 25, 2024, Enovis Corporation introduced the DonJo Roam OA specialized exoskeleton for the treatment of osteoarthritis and other knee pain. This band allows you to unload the affected joint, improve stability and mobility. Read more here.

2023

Sales of exoskeletons in the world for the year reached $18.98 billion

In 2023, the global exoskeleton market reached $18.98 billion. For comparison, a year earlier, sales of such devices were estimated at $14.67 billion. Thus, growth was recorded at 29%. In the future, this industry will develop rapidly, as stated in the Market Research Future review, published in mid-August 2024.

One of the drivers of the market in question, analysts call the aging of the world's population. As people age, they are more likely to develop chronic diseases such as arthritis and multiple sclerosis. These ailments make daily tasks difficult to complete, as well as increasing the risk of disability. Wearable robotic exoskeletons can help patients regain mobility and improve quality of life. In addition, these devices can reduce the need for long-term care. In medicine, exoskeletons help speed up the rehabilitation process after injuries or operations.

Another factor in growth is the lack of employees at enterprises. Specialized industrial exoskeletons provide an opportunity to increase human strength and endurance, which is important in industries such as manufacturing, construction, mining, etc. Moreover, exoskeletons help reduce the number of severe injuries in the workplace. These devices are also being actively implemented in the defense sector, reducing the burden on soldiers and expanding their capabilities in combat operations. Technological advances that have led to the creation of more affordable, convenient and efficient exoskeletons further increase demand.

The authors of the study highlight several key areas of use of exoskeletons: manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, military industry and construction. Healthcare holds the lion's share of the market, helped by the growing demand for rehabilitation and support devices for patients with reduced mobility. In 2022, this segment accounted for $12.17 billion in total costs. In second place is production, and logistics closes the top three, where exoskeletons simplify handling and reduce the risk of injury.

In terms of design, exoskeletons are divided into electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and hybrid. Electric products held the largest share in 2023, which is due to their characteristics: relatively small mass, low maintenance requirements and energy efficiency. The hydraulic exoskeleton segment is expected to show significant growth due to the ability of such devices to provide high power and significant torque.

Key players in the industry include Hyundai Motor Company, ReWalk Robotics, Caterpillar, Ekso Bionics, LG, Honda Motor Company, SuitX, Ford, Toyota, Samsung, Eksovest, Panasonic, Bionic Power, Cyberdyne and Hocoma AG. From a geographical point of view, North America is leading in terms of the use of exoskeletons: in 2023, this region accounted for more than 35% of the total sales of such products. Europe is in second place. At the same time, the Asia-Pacific region is showing the highest growth rates. South America, the Middle East and Africa have also seen increased demand for exoskeletons, driven by factors such as increased investment in health care and growing awareness of technology in general.

Market Research Future experts believe that in the future, the CAGR (average annual growth rate in complex percentages) in the global exoskeleton market will be 29.39%. As a result, by 2032 the volume of the industry will reach $192.83 billion.^[1]

An exoskeleton has been created for Parkinson's sufferers

In early January 2024, American researchers from Harvard and Boston Universities announced the development of an exoskeleton that is designed specifically for people with Parkinson's disease. A special "suit" with sensors helps such patients to maintain balance and walk more confidently in the middle step. Read more here.

Exoskeleton for hiking in the mountains presented

In early January 2024, Hypershell introduced the ProX exoskeleton, designed specifically for extremals and lovers of active pastime. The novelty, for example, is able to facilitate movement over rough terrain or climbing mountains. Read more here.

Exoskeleton to help run faster introduced

In late September 2023, South Korean researchers at Jungang University in Seoul reported the development of an exoskeleton that helps people run faster. It is assumed that in the future, professional athletes will be able to use the product during training. In addition, the device can help in the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered certain injuries. Read more here.

Doctors get exoskeletons to help lift patients

On August 29, 2023, German Bionic, with offices in Boston, Berlin and Tokyo, announced the release of the Apogee + exoskeleton for medical professionals. The electric powered product helps employees of medical institutions to raise elderly and frail patients. Read more here.

Exoskeletons began to be used at the KamAZ engine plant to facilitate manual labor

At the KamAZ engine plant, exoskeletons began to be used to facilitate manual labor. The press service of the Russian automaker announced this in August 2023. Read more here.

In Volgograd, for the first time launched courses on working with the exoskeleton of hands for medical rehabilitation

In early June 2023, it became known about the launch of elective classes for doctors to rehabilitate patients with exoskeletons, in particular with the Exar-34 exoskeleton of the upper limbs. The project is being implemented at the National Medical University of Volgograd. This was announced by the director of the Federal Center for Support of the Development and Production of Exoprostheses Evgeny Zozulya. Read more here.

In St. Petersburg, developed an exoperutis that increases the strength of the hand with hard physical work

The St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (GUAP) has developed an anthropometric model of a brush grip amplifier based on additive technologies. Exoruca can find application in medicine. This was reported in May 2023 by the press service of the program of the Ministry of Education and Science "Priority 2030." Read more here.

NIIME has developed an exoruca with neural network control algorithms

Employees of the Molecular Electronics Research Institute (NIIME) have developed an exoskeleton designed for use in rehabilitation medicine. This was announced on February 1, 2023 by the head of the Department of Investment and Industrial Policy of the city of Moscow, which is part of the Complex of Economic Policy and Property and Land Relations of the capital, Vladislav Ovchinsky. Read more here.

An exoskeleton for remote control of robots has been created in Russia

The NTI Competence Center for Robotics and Mechatronics Component Technologies at Innopolis University has created a system with which industrial robots can be remotely controlled. The development was called "Avatar." Read more here.

2022

In Russia, a "growing" exoskeleton was created with a child to treat diseases of the musculoskeletal system

On December 8, 2022, it became known about the creation in Russia of an exoskeleton for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. A feature of the technology developed by specialists of the Moscow Polytechnic together with the company "Noon. 21st century, "is that the device" grows "with the child. Read more here.

Russian exoskeletons began to be used at the Kazan plant, which prevent workers from getting tired

In September 2022, Kazanorgsintez began using Russian exoskeletons, which prevent workers from getting tired. We are talking about the development of Exorais. Read more here.

Creating an exoskeleton for the military

On August 12, 2022, Rostec announced the creation of an exoskeleton for the military. According to the developers, the new product covers the entire body of the fighter and helps to significantly increase its effectiveness. Read more here.

Exoskeleton working like tendons released

At the end of June 2022, the SwissFederal Institute of Technology ETH Zurich announced the creation of the Myoshirt exoskeleton, with the help of which it is possible to fully restore the motor activity of the hands in patients affected by stroke and other injuries. The device has already been successfully tested in several hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Read more here.

Wearable exoskeleton released that becomes chair as man sits down Chairless Chair 2.0

In mid-May 2022, Noonee unveiled a revised version of its walking chair called the Chairless Chair 2.0. The exoskeleton supports the legs of a person, for example, a factory worker, who is forced to spend a lot of time in a static vertical position. Read more here.

2021

Rosseti began to use exoskeletons to service power grids

On December 28, 2021, it became known that Rosseti began to use exoskeletons to service power grids. The equipment developed by RT - Trusted Platforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan (a subsidiary of Rostec) is designed to protect the health of employees under heavy physical exertion, as well as to work with dimensional equipment or in a limited space. Read more here.

Nizhny Novgorod company will supply exoskeletons to Uzbekistan to recover from spinal cord injuries

At the end of December 2021, the Nizhny Novgorod company Rehabilitation Technologies agreed with the Agency for the Development of Medical and Social Services of Uzbekistan on the supply of 14 exoskeletons to the republic for medical use. Read more here.

SUEK Railway started using exoskeletons to load coal

At the end of November 2021, the Siberian Coal Energy Company (SUEK) announced the start of the use of exoskeletons at one of its service railway enterprises - in the Borodino Loading and Transportation Administration (STP). Read more here.

Announcement of an exoskeleton capable of transforming into a cart

At the end of September 2021, Panasonic introduced an exoskeleton capable of transforming into a cart. The model is called Koma 1.5, it can be in the form of an electric stroller or a bipedal exoskeleton for the lower body. Read more here.

In the city rehabilitation centers of Moscow, 60 patients began to test new exoskeletons

In the city rehabilitation centers of Moscow, new exoskeletons began to be tested. This was announced on September 22, 2021 in the capital's social development complex. Read more here.

OMK began using exoskeletons to facilitate the work of employees

On May 6, 2021, the United Metallurgical Company (OMK) announced the use of exoskeletons to facilitate the work of workers. At the first stage, two pieces of equipment were purchased from the American company SuitX for 1 million rubles. Read more here.

Exoskeleton developer Sarcos Robotics goes public

In early April 2021, Sarcos Robotics announced the upcoming entry into the stock exchange through a merger with SPAC-company Rotor Acquisition. The value of the combined company will be $1.3 billion plus potential income of $281 million due to an increase in the value of shares in the future. Read more here.

ReWalk Robotics exoskeletons developer to recover from paralysis raises tens of millions

In early March 2021, ReWalk Robotics closed a private public offering worth about $40 million. The offering included more than 10.9 million common shares and warrants to purchase nearly 5.5 million common shares at a price of $3.6625 per share, according to a press release. Read more here.

Start of sales of ExoAtlet Bambini exoskeleton in the Russian Federation

In February 2021, the ExoAtlet company announced the receipt in Russia of a marketing authorization for the ExoAtlet Bambini exoskeleton, which is intended for the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries. Read more here.

ExoAtlet II exoskeleton launch for stroke recovery on Russian market

As it became known on February 25, 2021, ExoAtlet successfully completed the tests and received a registration certificate for the ExoAtlet II exoskeleton. The simulator became the second exoskeleton in the manufacturer's line to be medically certified on the Russian market. Read more here.

2020

Industrial exoskeletons tested at Lebedinsky GOK

On December 4, 2020, Metalloinvest informed TAdviser that industrial exoskeletons developed by the Southwestern State University of Kursk were tested at the Lebedinsky Mining and Processing Plant, which is part of it. The project is being implemented jointly with specialists from the Metalloinvest Innovation Laboratory. Read more here.

In Russia, an exoskeleton is presented that relieves 50% of the load on the muscles

On September 28, 2020, the Exostule exoskeleton was presented, designed to facilitate physical activity. The device was developed by Rostec's Trusted Platforms Robotic Complexes company. Read more here.

ReStore exoskeleton announcement for stroke rehabilitation

In mid-September 2020, ReWalk Robotics unveiled a new soft ReStore exosuit for the rehabilitation of stroke patients. The exosuit helps the weakened muscles of the patient during movement and thereby facilitates the performance of everyday tasks. At the same time, the soft suit feels almost like an item of clothing, applies additional force gently and evenly and helps the natural movement of muscles, and not replaces it. Read more here.

Russian exoskeletons for medical rehabilitation enter the EU market

On August 21, 2020, Exoatlet announced the launch of its exoskeletons to the European market. The ExoAtlet model received the CE Mark sign and can now be used in the medical practice of EU countries. Read more here.

German Bionic exoskeleton announcement with IoT connection

In mid-July 2020, the German company Bionic released a lightweight exoskeleton with an Internet of Things connection. The 4th generation Cray X is equipped with a lightweight carbon fiber frame and is designed to protect workers from injury, the manufacturer says. Read more here.

ExoAtlant exoskeleton passed biomedical safety and efficacy tests

On May 28, 2020, it became known that ExoAtlant tested an industrial exoskeleton together with the Academician N.F. Mizmerov Research Institute of Labor Medicine. The results of the study showed the safety and effectiveness of the application of development in those areas of production where physical labor associated with lifting and holding weights is used. Read more here.

Ankle exoskeleton created that facilitates running by 15%

At the end of March 2020, Stanford University engineers introduced an ankle exoskeleton that facilitates running by 15%. They provided their technology to rehabilitation centers, helping people with impaired leg movement. Read more here.

Norilsk Nickel announced the release of an intellectual version of the exoskeleton

On March 5, 2020, it became known that the development of exoskeletons, which is being conducted by the Norilsk Nickel Digital Laboratory in partnership with Southwestern State University (UZGU, Kursk), entered the final stage. Norilsk Nickel is launching a pre-production sample with intellectualization elements. Read more here.

2019

• In January 2019, Severstal acquired 30 X-soft exoskeletons from Exorise.
• Exoskeletons are used by Sberbank and Volgabas Robo Lab.
• Demand in medicine is being formed: in 2019, in Rostov-on-Don and Volgograd, doctors tested exoskeletons during long-term surgical operations.

Commercial exoskeleton is presented, increasing human strength by 20 times

In December 2019, the Guardian XO exoskeleton, developed by Sarcos Robotics and increasing human strength by 20 times, was presented. Read more here.

Panasonic exoskeletons to be used at Tokyo Olympics

At the end of September 2019 Panasonic , she announced a collaboration with, in World Powerlifting Steam Federation (WPPO) which exoskeletons the Japanese company will be used at the Paralympic Games in powerlifting Tokyo competitions among athletes with musculoskeletal disorders. More. here

Hyundai unveils exoskeleton to make car repairs easier

In early September 2019, Hyundai Motor introduced an exoskeleton that makes it easier to work when you have to keep your hands raised above your head for a long time. In such a pose, employees of automobile service centers often work. Read more here.

The world's first exoskeleton is presented, making walking and running easier

In August 2019, Harvard University engineers unveiled  what they claim is the world's first exoskeleton that makes walking and running easier. Moreover, we are talking about an autonomous system that does not need external devices. Read more here.

2018

The volume of the global exoskeleton market grew by 11% and amounted to $56 million

On April 16, 2020, the Ministry of Digital Development of the Russian Federation, together with the National Association of Robotics Market Participants (NAURR), prepared a study on promising directions for the use of robotics in business. Particular attention was paid to the use of robotics in areas such as manufacturing and mining, agriculture, logistics, service provision, cleaning and others.

The exoskeleton market is an emerging segment. Compared to 2017, in 2018, the market volume grew by 11% and amounted to $56 million. In 2018, 7,300 exoskeletons were sold to relieve stress during physical work. Read more here.

Pentagon invests millions of dollars in exoskeleton making military "super soldiers"

In late November 2018, the U.S. Army announced it would invest millions of dollars in experimental exoskeletal technology. The ultimate goal of the military will be improved equipment for the new generation of "super soldiers." Read more here.

Exoskeleton developers

• Karfidov Lab
• Sberbank Robotics Laboratory
• Useful robots
• ExoAtlet
• ExoAtlant
• ActiveLink
• Ekso Bionics
• LG Electronics
• Panasonic Holdings Corporation
• Toyota