Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Size (2023 – 2030)

Global Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market was projected to be worth $178 million in 2022, and by 2030 it is anticipated to be worth $281.57 million. The market is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 5.9 % between 2023 and 2030.

Market Overview

Autonomous or self-driving wheelchairs are robotic devices designed to assist people with mobility impairments. They use advanced sensors, software, and machine learning algorithms to navigate through indoor and outdoor environments, avoiding obstacles and following pre-programmed or user-selected paths. There is a growing market for autonomous or self-driving wheelchairs, and several businesses and academic organisations are attempting to develop and advance the technology. The majority of autonomous wheelchairs come equipped with a variety of sensors, such as cameras, GPS, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and ultrasonic sensors (Global Positioning System). Together, these sensors build a 3D picture of the surroundings and can identify things like walls, furniture, and people as barriers. This data is used by the wheelchair's software to create a path that is both secure and effective. A joystick, touch screen, or voice instructions are just a few of the input modalities the user might employ to communicate with the wheelchair. Additionally, the software may pick up on the users’ preferences and actions to modify the wheelchairs’ behaviour. Increased freedom and movement for those with physical limitations are benefits of autonomous wheelchairs. They provide people with greater control over their life by allowing them to independently navigate through challenging circumstances. Additionally, the chance of mishaps and injuries from collisions or falls can be decreased with autonomous wheelchairs. The potential for autonomous wheelchairs to increase healthcare systems' overall effectiveness is another advantage. They can lighten the stress on caretakers and medical staff, enabling them to concentrate on other activities. The cost of patient care can be decreased by using autonomous wheelchairs since they need less supervision and aid.

Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Driver

Growing Elderly Population will boost the growth of the market

One of the key drivers for the autonomous/self-driving wheelchair market is the growing elderly population. According to the United Nations, the global population aged 60 years or over is likely to reach 2.1 billion by 2050. As people age, they may experience physical disabilities that limit their mobility and independence. This can lead to a decreased quality of life and an increased need for assistance from caregivers and family members. Autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs can provide a solution to this problem by offering greater independence and mobility for the elderly. These wheelchairs can help elderly individuals move around their homes or in public spaces without assistance, providing greater freedom and improving their quality of life. This can also reduce the workload for caregivers and family members, allowing them to focus on other tasks and improving their own quality of life.

Increased Focus on Healthcare Technology will drive the market growth

The market for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs is also being driven by the growing importance of healthcare technology. There is an increasing need for solutions that may boost productivity and cut costs as healthcare systems become more sophisticated and technology-driven. Wheelchairs that are autonomous or self-driving can be useful in this aspect since they require less human monitoring and care, freeing up carers and medical professionals to concentrate on other duties. In addition, autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs can also help reduce the risk of injury for patients and caregivers. For example, a caregiver may be at risk of injury if they have to lift and move a patient manually. With an autonomous/self-driving wheelchair, this risk is reduced, as the patient can move independently without assistance.

Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Challenges

Safety and Reliability Concerns will impede the market growth

One of the primary challenges facing the autonomous/self-driving wheelchair market is the need to ensure safety and reliability. While autonomous/self-driving technology has advanced significantly in recent years, there is still a risk of accidents or malfunctions that could harm users or others. In order to gain wider acceptance, these wheelchairs must be designed to be safe and reliable, with features such as collision avoidance systems, robust software and hardware, and fail-safes in case of system failure. Another safety concern is the ability of users to control autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs. For individuals with physical disabilities, it may be difficult to operate the chair manually in case of emergency, so there must be clear and reliable communication channels between the user and the chair's control system to ensure safety.

High Cost of Technology will restraint growth of the market

The expensive cost of technology is another issue for the market for self-driving and autonomous wheelchairs. It takes specialised technology and software, which can be pricey, to create autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs. For many potential users, especially those who are old or have low financial means, the cost of these wheelchairs may be prohibitive. This might limit the use of these wheelchairs and keep them from maximising their market potential. In addition, the cost of maintenance and repair can also be a challenge. These wheelchairs require specialized knowledge and skills to repair, and there may be limited availability of qualified technicians in some areas. This can lead to high maintenance and repair costs and make the wheelchairs less accessible to some users.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market

The market for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs has been influenced by the growing focus on remote care and telehealth solutions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people with physical impairments are unable to get the in-person care and support they require because of social isolation policies. By enabling users to move around their homes and in public areas without assistance, autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs can offer a solution to this issue and lower the danger of viral infection. The pandemic has also brought attention to the need to lessen caretakers' and healthcare workers' workloads, which can be done by using autonomous or self-driving wheelchairs. The pandemic has, however, also caused delays and higher prices for certain industry players by disrupting the supply chain and production procedures.

AUTONOMOUS SELF-DRIVING WHEELCHAIR MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Segmentation – By End User

• Individuals with Physical Disabilities

• The Elderly

• Medical Institutions

The autonomous/self-driving wheelchair market can be segmented based on end-user, which can include individuals with physical disabilities, the elderly, and medical institutions such as hospitals and clinics. The individuals with Physical Disabilities segment represents the largest end-user group for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs. People with physical disabilities, such as spinal cord injuries or muscular dystrophy, require wheelchairs for mobility. Autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs provide greater independence and freedom of movement for these individuals. The elderly population is another significant end-user group for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs. As people age, they may experience physical limitations that make it difficult for them to move around independently. Autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs can provide a solution to this problem by allowing the elderly to move around their homes and in public spaces without assistance. Medical institutions such as hospitals and clinics represent another important end-user group for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs. These institutions can use these wheelchairs to provide greater mobility for patients.

Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Segmentation – By Application

• Personal Application

• Commercial Application

The autonomous/self-driving wheelchair market can be segmented based on application, which can include personal and commercial applications. Personal applications refer to the use of autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs by individuals with physical disabilities or the elderly. Personal applications can be further divided into indoor and outdoor applications. Indoor applications are designed for use in homes and other indoor environments, while outdoor applications are designed for use in public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, and streets. Commercial applications refer to the use of autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs in medical institutions such as hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Segmentation – By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Middle East & Africa

Regions such as North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa may be used to segment the market for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs. The market is predicted to be dominated by North America due to the region's rapid adoption of cutting-edge technology like self-driving wheelchairs. The area is also home to a sizable number of elderly people and people with disabilities who require mobility aids. Another big market for self-driving wheelchairs is in Europe. Another factor driving demand for these wheelchairs is the well-established healthcare systems seen in European nations. Due to the region's growing older population and rising healthcare costs in nations like China and Japan, the market in Asia-Pacific is predicted to develop significantly over the next years. Additionally, the area contains a sizable population of people with impairments who require mobility aids. The market for self-driving wheelchairs is also expanding in Latin America. Although there is a lesser market for autonomous/self-driving wheelchairs in the Middle East and Africa, there is an increasing need for these devices there.

Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market Segmentation-Key Players

Some of the top key players in the Autonomous Self-Driving Wheelchair Market are:

1. Invacare Corporation

2. Sunrise Medical LLC

3. Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA

4. Permobil AB

5. Pride Mobility Products Corporation

6. LEVO AG

7. WHILL Inc.

8. KARMA Medical Products Co. Ltd.

9. Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare

10. Meyra GmbH