By Kalwinder KaurSep 29 2012
With continued effort to develop and commercialize robotic exoskeleton-related new technologies, Quantum International has been witnessing success in medical devices.
During early 2012, the robotic exoskeleton was effectively and for the first time used by paralyzed British citizen Claire Lomas as a walking assistance during the 2012 London Marathon.
Argo Medical Technologies had designed the motorized legs which enabled Lomas to stand, walk and even climb stairs without any human assistance for the first time after her accident in 2007. Reuters informed that Argo envisions the release of ReWalk system to benefit around 250,000 wheelchair users. Individuals involved in athletic training and physically taxing jobs will also largely deploy robotic exoskeletons, thereby enhancing its market. Estimation on the global market potential falls between $500 M and $1 B.
According to Quantum CEO Robert Federowicz, the product’s global distribution has been reflected through this first success story. Besides providing walking assistance, robotic exoskeletons enable disabled users to have eye-to-eye interaction with family and friends and even to perform exercise. They also support mitigating the costs related to treatment of paralyzed patients for conditions like loss of bone density. The advanced new exoskeletons thus have immense market potential.
Quantum has begun its efforts to bring more innovative and high efficiency robotics products to the markets in the U.S. The company has entered into a NDA with the University of Houston with intent to start negotiating on the possible collaboration with researchers focused on an external brain-machine interface. By using this interface, designers can develop an advanced Rex Bionics robotic exoskeleton, based only on their intellect.
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