The global sales of robotic wheelchair is estimated to be worth USD 157.4 million in 2024 and anticipated to reach a value of USD 451.1 million by 2034. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 11.1% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2034. The revenue generated by robotic wheelchair in 2023 was USD 141.7 million.
Robotic wheelchairs are a type of powered wheelchairs and that provides access to disabled individuals with a user-friendly mobility solution with a wide-range of functionalities. These kinds of electric wheelchairs consist of more advanced sensors and some of them also come with artificial intelligence.
These wheelchairs are intended for the use of people who cannot use or propel a manual wheelchair. These chairs are programmed to detect obstacles in the path, navigate accordingly, and thereby enhance the user experience multi-fold.
The use of electric or robotic wheelchair is not limited to people who have walking impairment or who are unable to walk, but these wheelchairs can also be used by people with several chronic disease conditions. Demand for the robotic wheelchair is expected to surge amid the growing prevalence of immobility issues among the elderly population.
Global Robotic Wheelchair Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 141.7 million |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 157.4 million |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 451.1 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 11.1% |
Based on wheelchairs, mid-wheel drive wheelchairs dominated the global robotic wheelchair industry in the year 2023, which contributed 41.2% of the revenue share. Extensive advancements within the mobility assistance sector are anticipated to drive industry expansion in the foreseeable future.
The rising cases of knee injuries, paralysis, strokes, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, and others are the major factors for the growth of this industry. As people around the globe are aging fast, there is increasingly susceptible to mobility challenges. Looking ahead, the industry growth will be fueled by rising incidences of knee injuries, paralysis, strokes, neurodegenerative conditions, and obesity.
For instance, according to Definitive Healthcare, LLC., a USA-based healthcare company, more than 1.4 million knee and hip arthroplasty surgeries were performed in USA in the year 2022. This high number of surgical procedures will increase the demand for robotic wheelchairs.
Furthermore, key manufacturers are focused on developing new and advance products which will also increase the adoption of such novel robotic wheelchairs. For example, Whill Inc., a USA-based multination electric wheelchair manufacturing company, offers its WHILL Model F which is foldable and portable which allows the patient to carry it along with them.
Moreover, it also has technologically advanced sensors with LiDar and GPS tracking. The WHILL Model F has also received 510(k) clearance for marketing as a Class II medical device.
In addition to the above-mentioned growth pointer, other factors such as the upsurge in old age population worldwide, rising incidence of disabilities, adoption and inclination towards assistive technology, increasing healthcare expenditure, and initiatives by several government and non-government organizations also contribute to the growth of the market.
Factors such as the high cost of these robotic wheelchairs, lack of proper reimbursement, stringent regulatory guidelines, and heavy research & development expenditure for robotic wheelchair development can act as an anchor to the market growth.
The global robotic wheelchair market's compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the first half of 2023 and 2024 is compared in the table below. This analysis provides important insights into the performance of the industry by highlighting significant shifts and trends in revenue generation.
The first half (H1) is the period from January to June, and the second half (H2) is July to December. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 12.2%, followed by a slightly lower growth rate of 11.5% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 12.2% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 11.5% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 11.1% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 10.5% (2024 to 2034) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 11.1% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 10.5% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the industry witnessed a decrease of 110 BPS while in the second half (H2), the industry witnessed a decrease of 100 BPS.
Increased awareness and acceptance of Robotic Wheelchair driving the market Growth
Technology in wheelchair space have become more advanced and user-friendly that more people understand how crucial and beneficial the robotic wheelchair can be. Technological advancement, plus an increase in awareness regarding the benefits of wheelchairs among the end users has increased significantly over recent times.
This has led to increased adoption of robotic wheelchair. Robotic wheelchairs give higher movement ease and autonomy to those with movement disabilities, enabling smoother and faster movement through diverse environments. Furthermore, because the world’s population is aging rapidly, we need more assistive technology like robotic wheelchairs for people living with movement disabilities.
This has resulted in a growing number of persons with disabilities accepting these devices as practical solutions to the hurdles they go through on daily basis. In addition, increased familiarity and positive attitude towards robotic wheelchairs has also increased the sale of these wheelchairs.
Rising incidences of Mobility Impairment will increase the demand for Robotic Wheelchair
Various factors such as aging population, medical conditions, and others are responsible for temporary or permanent mobility impairment in an individual. As the burden of such factors increases the demand for proper mobility solution such as robotic wheelchair also increases. Several medical condition such as spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease, accidents and other medical condition can result in temporary or permanent mobility impairments.
If the incidence of these conditions rises the demand for advanced mobility solutions like robotic wheelchairs rises. For instance, according to the statistics published by the Parkinson's Foundation, there are around 10 million people living with Parkinson's diseases across the globe. As the people age the incidence of this diseases is likely to increase.
Furthermore, people who are handicap typically require avenues through which they can preserve or reclaim their autonomy. The robotic wheelchairs possess increased capabilities such as self-directed movement, avoiding barriers on their own, as well as communication from far distances.
This makes its user possible to move around by themselves without any restraints even within confines that are full of objects or posed with difficulties. Recently, due to the emergence of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) the modern day robotic wheelchair has become more advanced. This has also increased it adoption in older individual who face difficulties in operating such devices.
Technological Advancement Creates Further Growth Opportunity for Robotic Wheelchair
Such technological enhancement in wheelchair industry have made them more functional and people can use them in their day-to-day life. The latest wheelchairs are now available and they come with advanced features such as GPS navigation, advance sensor for obstacle identification etc.
This makes it more likely that an elderly will choose to use them since the technological improvement of the wheelchair is high. Such technological advancement has also made such robotic wheelchair more efficient. This altogether has increased the safety and reliability of robotic wheelchair.
Furthermore, AI supports advanced functionalities like predictive maintenance techniques, user-tailored customization options or intelligent navigation routes, which increases overall user satisfaction and its adoption.
Thus, owing to such factor the adoption of robotic wheelchair is expected to increase and will eventually drive the industry growth.
High Cost Restrict Market Growth
The high price of robotic wheelchair may act as a major restraining factor for the expansion of this industry. Such high price can make it inaccessible for numerous facilities such as smaller hospitals and clinics.
For instance, Whill Model C2, a robotic wheel chair manufactured by WHILL Inc., an American manufacturer of wheelchair, cost around USD 5,500. Moreover, its maintenance and accessories also put additional financial burden on the healthcare system and on the patient.
The adoption of economical and easy-to-maintain alternatives by patients is anticipated to pose a significant challenge for the robotic wheelchair industry. Despite advantageous reimbursement prospects, factors such as technical issues and product recalls could impede growth of this industry.
In addition, other factors such as lack of proper knowledge regarding operating guideline of such wheelchairs, regulatory compliance, supply chain disruption, and other can also be factors which can act as an anchor to the industry’s growth.
The global robotic wheelchair industry recorded a CAGR of 9.5% during the historical period between 2019 and 2023. The growth of robotic wheelchair industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 451.1 million in 2034 from USD 157.4 million in 2024.
The industry for robotic wheelchairs is anticipated to grow positively in the near future due to the rise in annual joint replacement surgeries. The requirement for tangible assistive technologies, like robotic wheelchairs, will rise as these surgeries become more common.
For example, the American College of Rheumatology estimates that each year in the United States approximately 790,000 total knee replacements and 544,000 total hip replacements are performed. Moreover, this number will only increase as the country's population ages.
In 2020, this industry faced a temporary slowdown in its business due the impact of COVID-19. This was because different categories of businesses were forced to close down by the lockdown imposed by several government authority during the pandemic. However, post pandemic the industry experienced a gradual growth.
In the succeeding years, the upsurge in the utilization of assistive devices is likely to increase. This will also have a positive impact on the robotic wheelchair industry. Furthermore, many manufacturers of electric wheelchair have developed innovative marketing strategies so as to expand their business and make people familiar with their products.
For example, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. In December 2023, collaborated with WHILL Inc., a manufacturer of robotics wheelchair, to launch a rental services for electric wheelchair at the airport of Japan. This services is for people who face difficulty in walking and can use this rental service for cover short distance.
Tier 1 companies are the industry leaders with a revenue of more than USD 100 million, or 69.7% of the global industry. These companies stand out for having a large product portfolio and a high production capacity.
These industry leaders also stand out for having a wide geographic reach, a strong customer base, and substantial experience in manufacturing and having enough financial resources which enables them to enhance their research and development efforts and expand into new industries.
The companies within tier 1 have a good reputation and high brand value. These companies frequently get involved in strategies such as acquisition and product launches. Prominent companies within tier 1 include Sunrise Medical LLC, Ottobock, WHILL Inc., Permobil, MEYRA GmbH, and Matia Robotics, Inc.
Tier 2 companies are relatively smaller as compared with tier 1 players. The tier 2 companies hold a market share of 25.7% worldwide. These firms may not have cutting-edge technology or a broad global reach, but they do ensure regulatory compliance and have good technology. The players are more competitive when it comes to pricing and target niche markets. Key Companies under this category include Karman Healthcare, Inc., UPnRIDE Robotics Ltd., Centaur Robotics, and others
Compared to Tiers 1 and 2, Tier 3 companies offer robotic wheelchairs, but with smaller revenue spouts and less influence. These companies mostly operate in one or two countries and have limited customer base. The companies such as Kinova Inc., Cyberworks Robotics, and others falls under tier 3 category. They specialize in specific products and cater to niche markets, adding diversity to the industry.
The market analysis for robotic wheelchairs in various nations is covered in the section below. An analysis of important nations in North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and other regions of the world has been mentioned below.
It is projected that the United States will maintain its leading position in North America through 2034, holding a value share of 81.6%. By 2034, India is expected to experience a CAGR of 17.0% in the Asia-Pacific region.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| USA | 6.2% |
| Germany | 6.5% |
| France | 9.6% |
| UK | 7.8% |
| China | 14.3% |
| India | 17.0% |
| South Korea | 9.2% |
Germany’s robotic wheelchair market is poised to exhibit a CAGR of 6.5% between 2024 and 2034. The Germany holds highest market share in European market.
In Germany, there are many old people especially those who have reached 65 years of age. Because of aging, medical equipment and services are necessary, which enhances the use of robotized wheelchairs. Technological improvements in the medical field have facilitated new inventions in robotic wheelchairs. An increase in the utilization of this equipment in hospitals situated within Germany has led to the growth of robotized wheelchairs.
In addition, various other factors such as rising cases of orthopedic injuries and orthopedic surgical procedures will also increase demand for robotic wheelchair in Germany. For instance, MVZ Gelenk-Klinik, a certified Centre for Arthroplasty in Germany, treats around 24,000 patients each year and perform more than 2,400 orthopedic surgical procedure in Germany each year.
North America, spearheaded by the USA currently holds around 32.0% share of the global robotic wheelchair industry.
The USA is considered the most dominant market for robotic wheelchair across North America. Demand for robotic wheelchairs is increasing resulting from growth in the healthcare sector in the USA. With the increase in healthcare spending, hospitals are investing more on equipment and supplies to enhance care and patient outcomes. Additionally, the elderly population is fueling healthcare needs including hospitalization, which also increases the use of robotic wheelchairs due to advancement of technology of such wheelchairs.
As the people of age 65 and above rises in the USA the demand for robotic wheelchair also rises. In addition, the number of people with disability are more in the USA, which requires frequent need for mobility. This also increases the demand for robotic wheelchair in this country. Other factor for the dominance of USA is availability of large number of manufacturers.
In terms of industrial growth and infrastructure development, China is anticipated to be a strong contender, most importantly in the year 2023 the country is projected to show a CAGR of 14.3% between 2024 and 2034.
The aging population in China is driving demand for accessible products and services, including robotic wheelchairs that can facilitate independence and mobility. Moreover, rising population, rising disposable income and increasing incidence of road accident in China is expected to expand the market growth in this country.
Moreover, the healthcare spending in this country is also rising. China is also investing heavily into robotics and advance medical technology, which will also expand the demand for robotic wheelchair in China. Lastly, other factors such as rising house-hold income of middle class, heavy dependency on mobility solution by people and other are the reason of dominance of China in East Asian countries.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. Based on wheelchairs, the mid-wheel drive wheelchair segment accounted for 41.2% of the global share in 2023.
| Wheelchairs | Mid-wheel Drive Wheelchair |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 41.2% |
The Mid-Wheel Drive segment is projected to be a dominating segment in terms of revenue, accounting for almost 41.2% of the market share in 2024. The growth of this wheelchair type is associated with its ability to offer traction on all surface terrains which include; slopes, inclines, etc.
The wheelchair will not move in forward or backward direction as it has caster wheels on both the front and rear. Other advantages of mid wheel drive robotic wheelchair are that they require less training and can be easily used by a layman. As these kinds of wheelchair requires less training, they are mostly used at home by elderly people.
In addition, to these advantages, as the patient is sitting directly above the drive wheels, it's suitable for patients who are suffering for cognitive impairment or who have problem of tremors because the drive wheel and center of gravity are in line with the user's head. Due to these advantages the mid-wheel drive segment increases the customer satisfaction and hold the dominant position.
| Application | Personal Use |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 68.2% |
The personal use segment will dominate the industry in terms of revenue, accounting for almost 68.2% of the market share in 2024. This is the most preferred application since in old age the most important necessity is to have a more independent life with personal autonomy.
In addition, the people who need such kind of assistive care will eventually need it for rest of their life or at least for longer duration of time. Thus, these people usually tend to have a separate wheelchair. Mostly elderly people with moving disability use such kind of wheelchair and this is mostly used at home.
Moreover, elderly people are more susceptible to health issue such as cardiovascular issues, pressure ulcer and other. During such condition the utilization of wheelchair is increased by elderly people. Owing to these factor the personal use segment in global robotic wheelchair market is expected to hold a dominant position over the forecast period.
The robotic wheelchair industry faces a high competition as there are large number of robotic wheelchair manufacturers. These manufacturers are focused on constantly innovating and improving their product portfolio.
Prominent producers of robotic wheelchairs are concentrating on growing internationally in order to increase their revenue and increase the size of their sales footprint in developing nations through the acquisition of regional small players. Manufacturers utilize various key strategies such as agreements, product launches, research sponsorship, and strategic collaborations to boost product sales and establish their market presence.
Recent Industry Developments in Robotic Wheelchair Market:
In terms of wheelchairs, the industry is divided into rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and mid-wheel drive.
In terms of application, the industry is segregated into personal use and commercial use
In terms of distribution channel, the industry is divided into home care settings, rehabilitation center, online sales channel, and others
Key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe and Middle East and Africa (MEA) have been covered in the report.
The global robotic wheelchair industry is projected to witness CAGR of 11.1% between 2024 and 2034.
The global robotic wheelchair industry stood at USD 141.7 million in 2023.
The global robotic wheelchair industry is anticipated to reach USD 451.1 million by 2034 end.
China is expected to show a CAGR of 14.3% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the global robotic wheelchair industry include Sunrise Medical LLC, WHILL Inc., Permobil, MEYRA GmbH, Matia Robotics, Inc., Karman Healthcare, Inc., UPnRIDE Robotics Ltd., Ottobock, Centaur Robotics., Tmsuk co., ltd (Rodem), Nino Robotics., Kinova Inc. and Cyberworks Robotics
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