Powered Exoskeletons for Rehabilitation and Mobility

ReWalk Robotics (now Lifeward) developed the first FDA-cleared powered exoskeleton for personal home use by individuals with spinal cord injuries. The ReWalk system uses motorized legs with motion sensors, rechargeable batteries, and a computerized system that controls movement to enable paraplegic users to stand, walk, turn, and climb stairs. The company has raised over $218 million and its devices are approved in the U.S., EU, and Israel.

The technology represents a fundamental shift in rehabilitation from passive support (wheelchairs) to active mobility restoration. Clinical studies show that regular exoskeleton use improves cardiovascular health, bone density, bowel function, and psychological well-being in spinal cord injury patients. The devices are also used in rehabilitation settings to accelerate recovery from stroke and other neurological conditions.

Israel's broader robotics-for-health ecosystem includes surgical robotics (Mazor Robotics, acquired by Medtronic for $1.7B), rehabilitation robots, and assistive devices. The country's expertise in miniaturized sensors, actuators, and control systems — often developed initially for defense applications — transfers naturally to medical robotics. As populations age globally, demand for robotic assistance and rehabilitation is growing rapidly.