In recent years, wearable exoskeletons have garnered attention as a technology that assists or augments human physical capabilities. With potential applications in diverse fields, including healthcare, industry, military, and rehabilitation, the market is growing rapidly, leading to increasingly fierce competition among major companies and countries.

First, in what areas is exoskeleton technology being utilized?
In industrial settings, it is typically used to prevent injuries and reduce physical exhaustion in workers who repeatedly lift heavy objects. In the medical field, it is a crucial device for walking rehabilitation for paraplegics and the elderly. Furthermore, the military is actively developing exoskeletons to enhance soldiers’ combat capabilities.

The global market is rapidly expanding. According to MarketsandMarkets, the market size is expected to grow from approximately USD 560 million in 2025 to approximately USD 2.03 billion in 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 29.4%. Technological advancements are playing a key role in this rapid growth.

For example, the convergence of AI and sensor technology has enhanced the ability to predict and assist users’ movements in real time. Furthermore, the development of lightweight materials and smaller batteries is contributing to increased comfort. However, battery life, discomfort, and high prices still pose obstacles to widespread adoption.

Key companies leading these technologies are also noteworthy.
For example, Sarcos Robotics in the US has strengths in the industrial and military sectors and is gaining attention for its technology to manipulate heavy equipment using exoskeletons. ReWalk Robotics, a company focused on medical rehabilitation, is one of the few companies to have received FDA approval and has commercialized a device that helps paraplegics regain walking.

Japan’s Cyberdyne has developed its own HAL technology, providing services closely integrated with rehabilitation medical systems. Germany’s Ottobock is expanding its reach into assistive devices used in industrial settings, leveraging its long-standing expertise in orthopedic surgery.
In Korea, companies like Hyundai Motor Company, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, and Angel Robotics are rapidly entering the market, showcasing their technologies at CES and other events.

Furthermore, the strategies adopted by each country offer interesting points of comparison.
The US market is driven by private-sector-led R&D and military demand, while Europe is adopting a strategy of technology dissemination aligned with industrial safety regulations and welfare systems. Japan is actively utilizing exoskeleton technology as part of its welfare efforts to address its aging population, and Korea is attempting rapid technology transfer through collaborations between small and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations.

However, opportunities are not the only issue.
Wearable exoskeletons still face numerous challenges, including cost, inadequate regulations, lack of social acceptance, and insurance coverage. Technology is advancing rapidly, but social systems, laws, standards, and ethical standards are lagging behind.

Then, the following questions naturally arise:

How will exoskeleton technology transform people’s daily lives and work patterns in the future?

As technology advances, will the concept of “basic human capabilities” also change?

Or, if expensive exoskeleton equipment is limited to a select few, won’t it create new forms of skill inequality?

Finally, amidst this rapid growth, we need to consider how businesses, governments, and society should respond.
The challenge ahead will be not only the rapid development of technology, but also its fair distribution and integration into a socially acceptable form.