The smart wheelchair market is anticipated to record a value of USD 185.7 million in 2024. The industry is projected to witness a CAGR of 7.8% in the ten-year time frame. The revenue projection for smart wheelchairs is going to be USD 393.5 million by 2034.
The demand for intelligent wheelchair navigation assistance is rising to address the growing population of senior citizens and those suffering from physical disabilities. Aging, accidents, and diseases like spinal cord injuries and cerebral palsy are contributing to the increasing count of disabled individuals. Such individuals make up more than 15% of the overall population.
Companies are also investing their resources in acquiring the latest techniques and improving the capabilities of their recent editions of intelligent wheelchairs. The availability of low-cost sensors and processors is forwarding the trend of intelligence-based systems.
Sensing the positive outlook towards smart options like wearable devices, smart gadgets, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, players have a chance to make it big in the smart wheelchair market. Increasing remunerative options available to participants is expected to advance the industry growth.
There are ample benefits associated with upgrading and improving assistive technology. In this list, securing social and economic inclusion ranks at the top, due to its link with human basic needs. By using assistive technologies, people with disabilities (PWD) gain access to wider circles and resources to improve their lives.
The robotics industry is taking a keen interest in the creation of models and software to empower patients with mobility-related issues. This is projected to expand the product pipeline over the forecast period.
Ongoing research to improve the Internet of Things and sensor technology further is creating opportunities for smart wheelchair market participants. Players are developing interesting apps that enable the physically impaired person. The latest example of this would be the introduction of a manual wheelchair that is automatically driven.
Technological upgrades are underway, and more emphasis is being given to the integration of AI and robotics in the traditional wheelchairs. Such focus areas and efforts are expected to fuel the smart wheelchair market, going forward.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Smart Wheelchair Market Size (2024E) | USD 185.7 million |
| Projected Smart Wheelchair Market Value (2034F) | USD 393.5 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 7.8% |
Neurodegenerative Disorders Fuel the Sales of Smart Wheelchairs
Neurodegenerative disorders like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) affect vast populations. For instance, the ALS Society of Canada approximated that over 1,000 people are typically diagnosed with this disease in Canada annually.
Apart from this, 3,000 people with ALS are living in the country at any given time. This is a consistent driver for assistive equipment like intelligent wheelchairs. Wheelchairs, equipped with numerous functions including tilting, reclining, and standing, are in demand for improved care and mobility.
Favorable Government Policies Impel More Sales of Smart Wheelchairs
Government policies and regulations are set in place to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Regulations as such encourage public spaces and transportation to make arrangement for wheelchair-accessibility.
Thus, boosting the product demand. Moreover, the insurance coverage and healthcare reimbursement for intelligent wheelchairs is expected to make this equipment affordable for people with disabilities. Consequently, raising the product’s demand.
Restrictive Factors that Pose Challenges for Manufacturers
Such wheelchairs are a luxury for patients. For people already incurring medical expenses for hospital visits, medicines, traveling expenses to healthcare, etc., the added and high cost of these intelligent wheelchairs doesn’t seem feasible. Additionally, alternative options like manual wheelchairs, whose maintenance costs are reasonable, are further prohibiting its adoption.
Extreme comfort linked with the use of manual wheelchairs, so much so that the patient considers it as an extended limb, is also impeding the industry's growth. To further realize the potential of smart wheelchairs, they would require interaction with smart city infrastructure.
This would necessitate seamless navigation with automatic doors, accessible ramps, and elevator call systems. Nonetheless, it’s a complex task, one which would take several years to fully develop.
Global smart wheelchair sales rose at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2018 to 2023. The corresponding market values for 2018 and 2023 were assessed at USD 125.1 million and USD 172.7 million, respectively.
The moderate sales of such wheelchairs during the historical period are attributed to rising incidences of physical disabilities, deemed temporary or permanent. Surging cases of road traffic-related accidents, that induce limited mobility, are another impetus for intelligent wheelchair demand.
The expanding geriatric population is also susceptible to restricted mobility conditions. Knee injuries, paralysis, strokes, and obesity are certain pervasive mobility-related issues that have been detected among people over 65 years. Thus, players are targeting their efforts on this group to boost their sales.
Technological progress in the field of home care, assisted living, patient care, and elder care products and services to improve patient management is taking precedence. As a result, innovations in the field of intelligent wheelchairs are welcomed by end users.
New and improved assistive technology designs are being developed with sensor and wireless technologies. Additionally, players are creating customized solutions with the assistance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) tools. People with severe disabilities are adopting such assistive technologies to interact with electric devices like tablets, laptops, radios, and televisions.
Over the forecast period, the industry is projected to expand at a promising 7.8% CAGR, given the continuous technological advancements in the industry.
Adoption patterns of smart wheelchairs in developed countries like the United States and Germany are expected to be promising. Sales are predicted to be driven by research funding and the availability of smart equipment in such areas.
Demand in China and India is projected to be fueled by the expansive patient base of physically impaired individuals and improving income levels.
| Countries | CAGR 2024 to 2034 |
|---|---|
| United States | 8.3% |
| Germany | 7.4% |
| China | 11.1% |
| India | 11.4% |
| Australia | 7.5% |
The United States enjoys a leading position in North America when it comes to smart wheelchair market. The country is estimated to attain a CAGR of 8.3% over the forecast period. The country is populated with a massive population of people suffering from physical disabilities. This is creating a potential for surged sales across the country.
The country’s federal reimbursement plans and the existence of disability criteria within the healthcare structure are prompting intelligent wheelchairs sales. In conjunction, the Americans with Disabilities Act has many reimbursements for assistive mobility tools and aids. Such policies are pushing the adoption and management of assistive devices like intelligent wheelchairs across the United States.
The smart wheelchair industry in Germany is expected to expand at a 7.4% CAGR over the forecast period. Continuous research to develop advanced versions of wheelchairs is expected to meet or surpass patients’ expectations.
For instance, in September 2021, the German federal government-funded research on intelligent wheelchair seats to create smart seats for young wheelchair users. Digitalization and customization are the focus areas of the project, to give young users reliable sitting support.
Recently, a leading provider of intelligent wheelchairs has developed a system that can be controlled with head gestures. Thereby, empowering those with extreme muscle diseases with more independence and mobility.
India is expected to pace at a CAGR of 11.4% over the next decade in the smart wheelchair market. Key factors contributing to the expansive market for such wheelchairs include a rapidly growing geriatric population and robust adoption of automated systems. The rising integration of technologies like autonomous navigation systems for real-time navigation of intelligent wheelchairs is further enhancing the market scope.
Players are also developing assistive devices with terrain perception to reduce fall risks among elderly users of intelligent wheelchairs.
This section mentions the top performers of the smart wheelchair market in detail. Presently, joystick-based smart wheelchairs enjoy a high preference among patients with mobility issues, registering a share of 85% in 2024. Under the usage category, the mobility impairment segment is expected to assume prominence over the estimated period. In 2024, this segment is predicted to obtain a 45% share.
| Segment | Joystick-based Smart Wheelchairs (Product) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 85% |
Joystick-based smart wheelchairs are expected to acquire a dominant share of the industry. This segment growth is driven by continuous advancements aimed at improving patient mobility. For example, several patients suffering from cerebral palsy are not quite adaptive to the navigation assistance offered by conventional joystick-based wheelchairs.
As a result, advances are being made in joystick-based intelligent wheelchairs like simultaneous deployment of AI for assistive mobility. Rising traction for joystick-based intelligent wheelchairs is expected to further expand the segment’s value.
| Segment | Mobility Impairment (Usage) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 45% |
Smart wheelchairs are typically and widely used to accommodate people with mobility impairment. The patients adopt wheelchairs to perform daily functions. Integration of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) in smart wheelchairs for expansive data monitoring and patient assessment is expected to increase the appeal of this equipment among physically impaired individuals.
Players are developing smart wheelchairs that can be controlled via voice commands, which can be helpful for people with limited upper-body mobility. Additionally, navigation systems like GPS and other navigation systems are being integrated into smart wheelchairs to get the user to their destination efficiently and safely. Thereby, increasing their use for mobility impairment.
Key players in the smart wheelchair market are focusing on innovation in their latest developments. Companies are integrating AI-powered navigation systems, remote monitoring, and emergency alert systems, in electric wheelchairs to enhance their portfolio. Additionally, efforts are being made to improve the battery life and charging capabilities to increase patients’ convenience.
Players are also innovating foldable and lightweight smart wheelchairs to increase their penetration in the smart wheelchair market. Playersmark are sensing the demand for customizable options to meet the various needs and abilities of patients. Predominantly, opportunities for key players lie in developing smart wheelchairs to cater to the expanding pediatric and geriatric population.
Industry Updates
Based on product type, the sector is divided into joystick-based and Bluetooth-connected.
By usage, the industry is segmented into mobility impairment, ocular disability, geriatric group, and multiple-disability, among others.
End-users of intelligent wheelchairs include healthcare settings, home care settings, and public access.
A regional industry analysis is conducted across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.
The industry is going to be worth USD 185.7 million in 2024.
The current forecast projects a CAGR of 7.8% for the industry through 2034.
The industry to expected to reach USD 393.5 million by 2034.
Joystick-based smart wheelchairs are expected to account for a significant share.
India and China are predicted to offer opportunities for investors.
Medical Depot and Permobil are influential industry players.
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