care & love
For Maria, a 45-year-old teacher who suffered a spinal cord injury in a car accident, the simple act of standing up to hug her daughter seemed like a distant dream—until she tried a robotic lower limb exoskeleton during rehab. "It wasn't just metal and motors," she recalls. "It was a team of engineers, doctors, and therapists working together to give me back a piece of my life." Maria's story isn't an anomaly; it's a testament to why robotic lower limb exoskeletons have become one of the most transformative technologies in healthcare and mobility. But behind every breakthrough—every step a patient takes, every muscle strengthened—lies a network of partnerships. No single company, researcher, or clinic can unlock the full potential of these devices alone. It takes collaboration: between tech innovators and medical experts, between academia and industry, between regulators and end-users. In this article, we'll explore how these partnerships are shaping the present and future of assistive lower limb exoskeletons , driving innovation, and making mobility accessible to more people than ever before.
The journey of a lower limb exoskeleton from a lab prototype to a patient's daily companion is a complex dance involving multiple stakeholders. Let's break down the key players and how they collaborate:
Universities and research institutions are hotbeds for groundbreaking ideas. Think biomechanics labs studying human gait, AI researchers developing adaptive control systems, or material scientists creating lighter, more durable exoskeleton frames. But turning those ideas into market-ready products requires the manufacturing expertise, regulatory know-how, and scalability of industry partners. For example, a team at Stanford University might develop an algorithm that allows an exoskeleton to "learn" a user's unique walking pattern, but a company like Parker Hannifin (a leader in motion control technologies) could refine that algorithm into a user-friendly interface and mass-produce the hardware.
These partnerships often start with joint research grants or sponsored projects. The goal? To bridge the "valley of death" between academic discovery and commercialization. Without this collaboration, many promising prototypes would gather dust on lab shelves instead of empowering users like Maria.
What good is a cutting-edge exoskeleton if it doesn't fit into a patient's daily life or clinical workflow? That's where healthcare providers—hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and physical therapists—come in. They're the voice of the end-user, offering insights into what works (and what doesn't) in real-world settings. For instance, a rehabilitation clinic might partner with an exoskeleton manufacturer to test a new device on patients with stroke-related paralysis. Therapists can provide feedback: Is the device easy to adjust for different body types? Does the battery last through a full day of therapy sessions? Are the instructions intuitive enough for staff to learn quickly?
These collaborations also help manufacturers align their products with medical reimbursement policies. If a device is to be covered by insurance, it needs clinical data proving its effectiveness—data that's often collected through partnerships with healthcare systems. In short, industry-healthcare partnerships ensure that exoskeletons aren't just technologically impressive, but clinically valuable.
Sometimes, the most impactful partnerships happen outside the traditional exoskeleton space. Take the automotive industry, for example. Car manufacturers have decades of experience in lightweight materials, battery efficiency, and ergonomic design—all of which are critical for exoskeletons. A company like Tesla, known for its electric vehicle batteries, could partner with an exoskeleton startup to develop longer-lasting, faster-charging power sources. Similarly, the aerospace industry's expertise in building durable, lightweight structures could inspire exoskeleton frames that are both strong and comfortable for all-day wear.
Another unexpected collaborator? The sports industry. Athletes push their bodies to the limit, and sports tech companies specialize in optimizing performance and preventing injury. A partnership between an exoskeleton maker and a sports brand could lead to assistive lower limb exoskeletons that not only help patients walk but also enhance mobility for athletes recovering from injuries—or even improve performance in able-bodied athletes, opening up new markets beyond healthcare.
To understand the impact of these partnerships, let's look at real-world examples of collaborations that have moved the needle in the lower limb exoskeleton market .
Ekso Bionics, a pioneer in exoskeleton technology, has long recognized the importance of partnering with healthcare providers. Their flagship product, the EksoNR, is an exoskeleton designed to help patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, and traumatic brain injuries relearn to walk during rehabilitation. But instead of developing the device in isolation, Ekso worked closely with leading rehabilitation centers like the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in New Jersey.
Therapists at Kessler provided hands-on feedback during the EksoNR's development, helping refine features like the device's "step mode" (which allows users to initiate steps with minimal effort) and its adjustability for patients of different heights and weights. In return, Kessler became one of the first clinics to integrate the EksoNR into its therapy programs, collecting valuable clinical data that Ekso used to secure FDA clearance. Today, the EksoNR is used in over 400 rehabilitation centers worldwide—a success made possible by the collaboration between industry and healthcare.
CYBERDYNE, the Japanese company behind the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) exoskeleton, is another example of cross-industry collaboration. HAL, which helps users with mobility impairments walk by detecting muscle signals, was initially developed at the University of Tsukuba. But to scale production and expand globally, CYBERDYNE partnered with Honda, a company with deep roots in robotics (think ASIMO, their humanoid robot) and global manufacturing capabilities.
Honda's expertise in mass production and supply chain management helped CYBERDYNE reduce the cost of HAL, making it more accessible to clinics and home users. Meanwhile, CYBERDYNE's medical expertise ensured the device met strict healthcare regulations in markets like Europe and the U.S. Today, HAL is approved for use in over 30 countries, and the partnership continues to drive innovation—including a lighter, more portable version designed for home use.
For veterans with mobility impairments, exoskeletons can be life-changing. ReWalk Robotics, a leader in personal exoskeletons, partnered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make their ReWalk Personal 6.0 available to veterans across the country. The VA, which provides healthcare to millions of veterans, saw the potential of exoskeletons to improve quality of life for those injured in service.
Through the partnership, the VA funded clinical trials to test the ReWalk Personal 6.0 in veterans with spinal cord injuries. The trials not only provided valuable data on the device's effectiveness but also helped ReWalk refine its training program for therapists. Today, veterans can access the ReWalk through VA rehabilitation centers, with many going on to use the device at home. For Army veteran John, who was paralyzed from the waist down in 2010, the ReWalk has been transformative: "I can now stand at my daughter's soccer games, walk into a restaurant without a wheelchair, and feel like a part of the world again. This didn't happen because one company did it alone—it was ReWalk and the VA working together to support people like me."
While partnerships drive innovation, they're not without their hurdles. Here are some of the most common challenges—and how successful collaborators overcome them:
Academic researchers might prioritize publishing groundbreaking findings, while industry partners focus on profitability and time-to-market. Healthcare providers, meanwhile, care most about patient outcomes and clinical practicality. These differing priorities can lead to friction. For example, a university lab might want to spend an extra year perfecting an AI control system, but the company funding the project needs to launch the product to stay competitive.
The solution? Clear communication from the start. Successful partnerships begin with a shared vision and a written agreement outlining each partner's goals, timelines, and responsibilities. Regular check-ins and flexibility are also key—adjusting plans as needed to keep everyone aligned.
Exoskeletons are medical devices, which means they're subject to strict regulatory oversight (like FDA approval in the U.S.). Navigating these regulations is complex, and partners often have different levels of expertise. A startup might be agile but lack experience with FDA submissions, while a large corporation might have regulatory teams but struggle with the fast-paced iteration needed for emerging tech.
Partnerships can bridge this gap. For example, a small exoskeleton company could partner with a larger medical device firm that has existing FDA relationships and compliance infrastructure. The startup brings innovation; the larger firm brings regulatory expertise. Together, they can navigate the approval process more efficiently than either could alone.
Developing an exoskeleton is expensive. From R&D to clinical trials to manufacturing, costs add up quickly. Partnerships can share the financial burden, but disagreements over funding allocation are common. Who pays for what? How are profits (or losses) shared? These questions need clear answers upfront.
One solution is to seek joint funding from government grants or private investors who support collaborative projects. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or the European ｕｎｉｏｎ's Horizon Europe program often fund partnerships between academia and industry, recognizing that they drive innovation faster than solo efforts. Additionally, some partnerships use a "cost-sharing" model, where each partner contributes resources in kind (e.g., a university provides lab space, a company provides engineering staff).
As the lower limb exoskeleton market continues to grow—projected to reach $6.8 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research—the need for collaboration will only intensify. Here are three areas where partnerships will drive the next wave of innovation:
Today's exoskeletons are often "one-size-fits-most," but the future lies in personalized devices tailored to a user's unique anatomy, mobility needs, and lifestyle. Achieving this will require partnerships between exoskeleton makers, healthcare providers, and AI companies. For example, a therapist could use 3D scanning technology to create a custom-fit exoskeleton frame, while an AI company develops algorithms that adapt the device's assistance based on real-time data (like muscle activity or fatigue levels). A partnership between these stakeholders could result in exoskeletons that feel less like "wearable machines" and more like extensions of the body.
Most exoskeletons today are used in clinical settings, but the next frontier is home and community use. For this to happen, exoskeletons need to be smaller, lighter, more affordable, and easy to use without professional assistance. Partnerships with consumer tech companies could help here. Imagine a collaboration between an exoskeleton startup and a company like Apple or Samsung, which could integrate user-friendly interfaces (like voice control or smartphone apps) and leverage existing supply chains to reduce costs. Additionally, partnerships with home healthcare providers could ensure that users have access to remote support (e.g., teletherapy sessions to adjust the device) and maintenance, making long-term home use feasible.
Currently, most exoskeletons are developed and sold in high-income countries, leaving many people in low- and middle-income regions without access. Partnerships between global health organizations, local manufacturers, and exoskeleton companies could change this. For example, a company like ReWalk could partner with a manufacturer in India to produce a simplified, lower-cost exoskeleton tailored to local needs (e.g., designed to work on uneven terrain common in rural areas). Global health NGOs could then help distribute the devices and train local therapists, ensuring they're used effectively.
| Partnership Type | Key Stakeholders | Primary Goal | Notable Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry-Academia | Exoskeleton manufacturers, universities, research labs | Translate academic research into commercial products | Ekso Bionics' early prototypes developed with UC Berkeley |
| Industry-Healthcare | Exoskeleton companies, rehabilitation centers, hospitals | Refine products for clinical use and secure regulatory approval | ReWalk Robotics' VA partnership expanding access for veterans |
| Cross-Industry | Exoskeleton makers, automotive/aerospace/sports companies | Leverage expertise in materials, batteries, and ergonomics | CYBERDYNE and Honda's collaboration on lightweight HAL models |
| Public-Private | Government agencies (e.g., NIH, VA), exoskeleton startups | Fund research and expand access to underserved populations | NIH grants supporting exoskeleton trials for stroke patients |
The story of robotic lower limb exoskeletons is ultimately a story of collaboration. From the researchers who first dreamed of wearable robots to the therapists who help patients take their first steps, from the engineers who refine the technology to the policymakers who ensure it's accessible—no one does it alone. As Maria, the teacher we met earlier, puts it: "When I walk in my exoskeleton, I'm not just wearing a device. I'm wearing the work of hundreds of people who cared enough to work together to give me back my mobility."
Looking ahead, the most impactful innovations in exoskeleton technology won't come from a single genius or a lone company. They'll come from partnerships—unlikely collaborations, shared goals, and a collective belief that mobility is a right, not a privilege. So whether you're a researcher in a lab, a therapist in a clinic, or an engineer in a factory, remember: your work matters, but it matters more when you work together.
After all, the future of mobility isn't built in isolation—it's built in partnership.