Military Exoskeleton Market Trends

Global Military Exoskeleton Market Overview

Military Exoskeleton Market Size was valued at USD 1.08585 billion in 2023. The Military Exoskeleton market is projected to grow from USD 1.24112655 Billion in 2024 to USD 3.16329 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.40% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The rise in global arms trades, rising adoption rates of medical devices in different industries such as automobile, military, defense, and construction, and rising incidence of stroke are the key market drivers enhancing market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Military Exoskeleton Market Trends

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  Growing Efficiency and Safety of Dismounted Soldiers are driving the market growth

  
  

The soldiers will need to adjust to these modifications as the demands of the battlefield change. As a result, governments and the armed forces are giving soldiers cutting-edge technology. The militaries have invested in these technologies because they want to improve the safety and effectiveness of the dismounted soldiers. Exoskeletons provide the warriors with additional protection from the outside while reducing their tiredness. The dismounted close combatant must do various physically demanding duties, such as carrying loads, handling materials by hand, maintaining fire positions for extended periods, and clearing obstacles like walls and windows.

Furthermore, the four major capability categories of mobility, lethality, survivability, and sustainability can be used to classify these activities broadly. The exoskeletons can add physical enhancements to certain capability areas. Exoskeleton use allows soldiers to lift large objects to 200 pounds for extended periods and sprint more quickly across the battlefield. Additionally, the suits are made so that the soldiers may deep squat and crawl while keeping their upper bodies open to lift tools or weapons.This factor raises the market CAGR in the forecast period.

The high expenses associated with exoskeleton development and implementation are significant barriers. High R&D expenditures are necessary to develop complex exoskeleton technology because many components are not readily available. This necessitates considerable R&D and certification costs to produce items of military grade. Exoskeletons are exceedingly expensive, making it impractical for militaries to equip their forces with many. The production costs of these exoskeletons are now being reduced, although it is challenging to maintain and raise the level of sophistication of the subsystems. A full-body exoskeleton can cost anywhere between USD 40,000 and USD 120,000, not including the cost of maintenance. This results from the high tooling cost of the mechanical framework of the exoskeleton. Thus, driving the Military Exoskeleton market revenue.

Military Exoskeleton Market Segment Insights

Military Exoskeleton Type Insights

Based on type, the Military Exoskeleton Market segmentation includes Full Body Exoskeletons and Partial Body Exoskeletons. The partial body exoskeletons segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.91% during the forecast period. Lower limb and upper limb exoskeletons make up the partial body exoskeletons. Exoskeletons for the lower limbs are designed to give the user's lower body parts more strength. Lower limb exoskeletons refer to exposits used to support the lower limbs, whereas these suits have a wide range of applications, including rehabilitation and assistive and body part support. They are frequently utilized by military personnel to facilitate handheld tasks like operating heavy equipment or lifting weights. The pricing range of upper-body exoskeletons and lower-body exoskeletons differs significantly.

Figure 1: Military Exoskeleton Market, by Type, 2022 & 2032 (USD billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Military Exoskeleton Power Insights

The Military Exoskeleton Market segmentation, based on Power, includes Active Exoskeleton and Passive Exoskeleton. The passive exoskeleton segment owns the highest market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.37 % during the forecast period. A passive exoskeleton mechanical construction comprises joints, stiff links, springs, and a structure body. It can occasionally be adjusted to fit the geometry of a particular body component. While a passive exoskeleton is motor- and controller-free, it can effectively unload the joints of human body parts over their whole range of motion. The degree of freedom, or the flexibility of movement, determines the cost of a passive robotic exoskeleton. The price of these robotic exoskeletons increases with the degree of freedom. Passive exoskeletons offer lightweight, affordable solutions that improve the user's strength, endurance, and speed when doing various tasks. In addition, compared to powered robotic exoskeletons, passive exoskeletons are more robust and safer. To increase market share, companies are creating fully mobile, mechanically passive robotic exoskeletons that can readily conform to the user's body shape.

Military Exoskeleton Body Part Insights

The Military Exoskeleton Market segmentation, based on Power, includes store Upper Body, Lower Body, and Full Body. The lower body segment dominated the exoskeleton market. It accounted for the largest revenue share, 42.7%, owing to the alarming rise of lower body disabilities and growing adoption rates of exoskeleton products by paralyzed and geriatric populations for stability, mobility, and weight-bearing capabilities. Moreover, these lower-body solutions are widely used by the military and defense personnel for assisting soldiers or enhancing soldiers' speed & coverage. However, the upper body segment is anticipated to register the fastest growth rate during the forthcoming years owing to the benefits of the exoskeleton products for the upper extremities, such as supporting disabled communities and rehabilitation aid in post-stroke, neurological, or musculoskeletal impairments. For instance, in July 2019, Ekso Bionics Holding Inc. launched EksoUE, which provided rehabilitation aid for the upper extremities.

November 2021 ReWalk Robotics received U.S. FDA approval for a home exoskeleton device to restore ankle function in stroke patients. Expanding the company's lineup for improving exoskeleton technology to empower people to stand, walk, and carry heavy objects is one of the critical factors expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

June 2020 Ekso Bionics received U.S. FDA approval for the clinical use of EksoNR robotic exoskeleton, used in patients suffering from acquired brain injury (ABI).

Military Exoskeleton Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American military exoskeleton market area will dominate this market, owing to the growing prevalence of disabled individuals, rising expenditure on research activities, growing public & private support, increasing number of partnerships & collaborations amongst key participants, and availability of technologically advanced products will boost the market growth in this Region.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: MILITARY EXOSKELETON MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe's Military Exoskeleton market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the growing human augmentation in industry, and military verticals are driving the growth. Further, the German Military Exoskeleton market held the largest market share, and the UK Military Exoskeleton market was the fastest-growing market in the European Region.

The Asia-Pacific Military Exoskeleton Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. Owing to the growing patient pool requiring rehabilitation support. Developing & advancing healthcare infrastructure and the availability of government support & funding are driving the development & growth of the exoskeleton market. Moreover, China’s Military Exoskeleton market held the largest market share, and the Indian Military Exoskeleton market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Military Exoskeleton Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to expand their product lines, which will help the Military Exoskeleton market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their global footprint, with important market developments including new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. The military exoskeleton industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate.

Manufacturing locally to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by manufacturers in the global Military Exoskeleton industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. The Military Exoskeleton industry has offered some of the most significant medical advantages in recent years. Major players in the Military Exoskeleton market, including BAE Systems (UK), General Atomics (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Raytheon Company (US), Safran (France), Bionic Power Inc. (Canada), Ekso Bionics (US), Revision Military (US), SpringActive (US), SRI International (US) and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

ReWalk Robotics is an innovative medical device company that designs, develops, and commercializes powered solutions that provide gait training and mobility for individuals with lower limb disabilities.ReWalk Robotics received U.S. FDA approval for a home exoskeleton device aiding in ankle function restoration in stroke patients. Expanding the company's lineup for improving exoskeleton technology to empower people to stand, walk, and carry heavy objects is one of the critical factors expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc. is a company that develops and manufactures powered exoskeleton bionic devices that can be strapped on as wearable robots to enhance the strength, mobility, and endurance of industrial workers and people experiencing paralysis and mobility issues after a brain injury, stroke, or spinal cord injury. These robots have a variety of applications in the medical, military, industrial, and consumer markets. It enables individuals with any amount of lower extremity weakness, including those who are paralyzed, to stand up and walk.Ekso Bionics received U.S. FDA approval for the clinical use of EksoNR robotic exoskeleton which is used in patients suffering from acquired brain injury (ABI).

Key Companies in the military exoskeleton market include

• BAE Systems (UK)


• General Atomics (US)


• Lockheed Martin Corporation (US)


• Raytheon Company (US)


• Safran (France)


• Bionic Power Inc. (Canada)


• Ekso Bionics (US)


• Revision Military (US)


• SpringActive (US)


• SRI International (US)

Military Exoskeleton Industry Developments

For Instance, October 2021 Taiwan unveiled a locally made powered exoskeleton suit, a mechanized wearable system designed for wartime or post-disaster rescue and relief missions. According to the Taiwan military, the 10 kg lower-body exoskeleton, designed to boost its users' strength and endurance, can move at six kph.

For Instance, June 2021 the Defence Research and Development Organization of India reported testing an active exoskeleton capable of assisting soldiers in carrying loads up to 100 kg with an operational time of up to 8 hours.

For Instance, May 2021 the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) and Air Mobility Command (AMC), and Arizona State University (ASU) announced their partnership for the development of an Aerial Port Exoskeleton. The new exoskeleton equipment is designed to reduce the strain experienced by aerial porters when lifting various items while increasing safety. The Travis Air Force Base is the test base for the new exoskeleton equipment.

Military Exoskeleton Market Segmentation

Military Exoskeleton Type Outlook

• Full Body Exoskeleton


• Partial Body Exoskeleton

Military Exoskeleton Power Outlook

• Active Exoskeleton


• Passive Exoskeleton

Military Exoskeleton Body Part Outlook

• Upper Body


• Lower Body


• Full Body

Military Exoskeleton Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America