Assisted Walking Devices Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Product (Canes, Crutches, Walkers, Gait Trainers), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By End-User (Hospitals, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2024 To 2029

The assisted walking devices market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.17% from US$3.828 billion in 2022 to US$5.819 billion in 2029.

Assisted walking devices are tools designed to provide support and assistance to individuals with mobility challenges, helping them walk more easily and safely. These devices are often used by people who have difficulty walking due to age-related issues, injuries, disabilities, or medical conditions.

The rising prevalence of mobility disorders coupled with the growing elderly population leading to more mobility problems are a major growth driver of the assisted walking devices market. Moreover, technological advancements and increasing demand for rehabilitation equipment further accelerate market expansion.

Market Drivers:

• Rising Incidence of Mobility Disabilities are one of the major factors contributing to the growth of the market.

The prevalence of disabilities caused by medical conditions, injuries, and accidents has led to a growing demand for walking aids. There are increasing cases of arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and musculoskeletal conditions worldwide which is expected to boost the assisted walking devices market.

For instance, according to the WHO, about 1.71 billion individuals worldwide were expected to have musculoskeletal problems in June 2022. Moreover, according to the CDC, arthritis is the most prevalent cause of job incapacity among US adults, with an estimated 25.7 million people currently experiencing arthritis-related limits in their daily activities, and that number is expected to rise to 35 million by 2040.

• Aging Population also pushes the market to grow.

As the global population ages, there is an increasing need for mobility assistance due to age-related issues, such as reduced muscle strength, joint problems, and balance challenges. Assisted walking devices cater to this demographic by providing solutions that enable older individuals to maintain their independence and mobility.

According to the Health Ageing Organization, the number one mobility issue that older persons face is falls. This results in broken bones, and bruises leading to a permanent need for assisted walking devices. According to the WHO, by 2030, 1 in 6 people globally will be 60 years or older, rising from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, this age group will double to 2.1 billion.

• Increasing Demand for Rehabilitation Equipment drives the market.

People recovering from surgeries, injuries, or medical procedures often require assisted walking devices as part of their rehabilitation process. 13 million persons with rheumatoid arthritis have moderate or severe disease that might benefit from rehabilitation according to the WHO. People affected by road accidents-related severe injuries often require mobility assistance as rehabilitation equipment. Thus, the huge number of road accidents is expected to accelerate the assisted walking devices market. For instance, non-fatal injuries affect between 20 and 50 million more individuals with many becoming disabled as a result of their injury as per the WHO.

• Technological Advancements propel the market to grow further.

Technological innovations have led to the development of more sophisticated walking devices, including powered exoskeletons and smart orthotic solutions. These technologies offer enhanced mobility options for individuals with severe mobility impairments.

Smart orthotic devices integrate sensors and actuators to provide real-time feedback and adjust support based on the user's movement, optimizing gait patterns and balance. For instance, CAN Mobilities developed the world's smartest walking cane in June 2022 to increase mobility through data. The CAN Go is an ultra-comfortable, durable, and stylish cane made of aircraft-grade aluminum with a soft, non-stick, non-slip grip for added safety.

Market Restraints:

The assisted walking devices market has experienced growth and development however some restraints or challenges can impact its expansion. For example, some advanced technologies and powered devices can be expensive, limiting accessibility for individuals with lower income levels or in regions with limited healthcare resources.

For instance, foldable wheelchairs generally cost more than INR 9,000 which may not be affordable in this unequally distributed economic population. Additionally, powered devices and advanced technology require regular maintenance and repairs, which can be time-consuming and add an extra cost for users.

North America is Expected to Grow Considerably

North America is expected to hold a significant share of the assisted walking devices market during the forecast period. The factors attributed to such a share are the higher prevalence of mobility disorders, the elderly population, technological developments, and government support. For instance, around 12.1% of the American population suffers from serious mobility conditions leading to problems in walking and climbing stairs as per the CDC data. The presence of market leaders such as Drive DeVilbis further stimulates market expansion.

Major Market Players:

• Honda Global is a Japanese company specializing in automobile and power equipment manufacturing. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. debuted its prototype walking aid devices in the United States for the first time in 2009. The first gadget, Stride Management Assist, is designed to help the elderly and persons with weak leg muscles walk.
• Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare is a company that specializes in providing a wide range of medical and healthcare products, including mobility and walking aids, to improve the lives of individuals with varying degrees of mobility challenges. It offers Airgo Claw Standing Cane Tip, Airgo Procare IC Crunch Hand Grips, and Respiratory Rollator Accessory Pack, among others.
• Elderluxe is a company that specializes in providing luxury products and solutions for seniors and older adults. It offers a variety of walking canes, mobility scooters, walkers, and rollators. Some of the notable products are GT-80 Power Carbon Fiber Walking Cane with Derby Handle, Trionic Veloped Sports 12er, and 14er.

Key Market Developments:

• In March 2023, Toyota launched the C+ walk S which is the second pedestrian-mobility-assistance model in this series. It has an improved standing-type model C+ walk T*2 as well as the C+pod*3. It assists people who can walk on their own but have difficulty walking long distances for long periods.
• In May 2023, Complete Care Shop released the Freestyle Grab and Go which is the UK’s first dual-purpose walking stick with a grabber. It is equipped with a built-in grabbing mechanism that enables the user to pick up small and commonly dropped items without the need to bend down. It is particularly useful for elder people with joint and muscle problems.
• In April 2022, Getinge introduced a new system designed for operating tables, which focuses on holding a single leg. This system is capable of accommodating two types of knee crutches and offers benefits such as cost savings, reduced time between surgeries, and enhanced patient comfort.

Segmentation:

• By Product
  • Canes
  • Crutches
  • Walkers
  • Gait Trainers
• By Distribution Channel
  • Online
  • Offline
• By End-User
  • Hospitals
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others