Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Size (2024-2030)

The Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market is estimated to be worth USD 788.06 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 1,167.84 Million by the end of 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.78% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

With advancements in technology, everything has become accessible to all. As with the emergence of assistive technologies, the elderly, disabled, and others can achieve self-sufficiency easily. A smart cane/walking stick aids in solving the daily challenges of an elderly and disabled person. This includes frequent falling, bumping into another person, clashing with sharp objects, weakness in knees, balance loss, and others. Further, a smart cane or walking stick is an electronic device that aids in detecting obstacles on the ground, hard surfaces, sharp and bumpy objects, and others. It uses ultrasonic ranging that detects objects from knee to head height in front of the person and sends information to the person through vibratory patterns. Moreover, a smart cane/or walking stick is ideal for visually impaired people, which helps them with daily mobility. Further, there are many electronic aids available in the market that can be attached to a standard cane and can provide mobility assistance to the elderly. Additionally, the smart cane monitors the walking patterns and steps of the person and sets a threshold value using an ultrasonic sensor that measures the distance between the stick and the leg. Further, if a person falls his hand’s pressure more than the threshold value then the sensor will detect the value of external pressure and activate an alarm.

Further, technological advances such as laser sensors, vision sensors, GPS canes/walking sticks, built-in cameras, colour sensors, AI-enabled canes, and walking sticks have further boosted the market for smart cane/walking sticks.

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Drivers:

Increasing demand for assistive walking technologies has boosted the growth of the Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market.

Assisted walking technologies are increasingly used by elderly and disabled people that aid them in mobility. These include sensor canes and walking sticks, GPS tracker canes, SOS canes, and others. These devices help them to detect objects that can restrict their mobility. Further, the increasing prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and others has increased the usage of smart canes/walking sticks. As per WHO (World Health Organization), 1.71 billion have musculoskeletal conditions that lead to disability and low back pain. Additionally, joint-related conditions such as gout and arthritis are most common among elderly people. Moreover, spinal injuries and surgical operations such as knee operations have increased the demand for smart canes/walking sticks. Furthermore, the visually impaired and blind have increased the demand for cameras and multiple sensor-based canes that provide them with improved mobility and increased their walking speed.

The rising elderly population has increased the demand for Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick.

As per WHO (The World Health Organization), the number of elderly people will increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion and will double to 2.1 billion by 2050. Smart cane/walking sticks are widely used by elderly people to assist them in walking and preventing any balance loss. Aged people are prone to knee and joint-related diseases and often require assistance in walking. Further, a standard stick can only aid them in walking but a smart cane/walking stick can help them to navigate properly, and provide guidance through GPS that proves beneficial for those suffering from amnesia and Alzheimer’s. In addition to that, certain neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, and others have an impact on the brain and the body that lead to disability in elderly people. Further, technological advancements in smart canes such as multiple sensors that detect falling or balance loss and send alerts to the elderly person’s family members, have boosted the usage of smart canes/walking sticks by the elderly. Moreover, SOS buttons on the cane/walking stick enable the elderly to contact their family members in cases of emergencies. This message is then sent to the mobile application of the family member and prevents future damage.

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Challenges:

Higher costs of high-tech equipment can hinder the market growth of smart/cane walking sticks.

The higher cost of smart walking sticks can hinder the market growth of smart cane/walking sticks. The use of high-end sensors and cameras requires technical knowledge and skilled professional to deploy them in the canes/walking sticks, which raises the cost of manufacturing companies and hence increases the final price for the customers.

Technological difficulties can decline the demand for smart cane/walking sticks in the market.  

Further, technological difficulties can decline the market growth for smart cane/walking sticks. For instance, difficulty in operating high-end smart canes by the elderly such as those equipped with AI technology, GPS, smart flashlights, or alarm buzzers can result in reduced usage of smart cane/walking sticks in the market.

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Opportunities:

The Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market is anticipated to deliver lucrative opportunities for businesses, which include acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, product launches, and agreements during the forecasted period. Furthermore, advances in assisted walking technologies and the increasing need for smart cane/walking sticks by disabled and elderly people are predicted to develop the market for Smart Cane/Walking Stick and enhance its future growth opportunities.

COVID-19 Impact on Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market:

The pandemic had an impact on the smart/walking stick market. Due to the focus on medical care devices such as smart wearable technologies for monitoring infection in patients, smart medical equipment, and others, there was a decline in demand for smart cane/walking sticks in the market. Further, due to the global lockdown, there was a restriction on mobility, which reduced the need for smart canes/walking sticks by the elderly. Moreover, due to supply chain disruption, there was reduced production of smart sensors and other equipment that are required to be deployed in the smart cane walking stick, which declined the demand for smart cane/walking sticks in the market.

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Recent Developments:

• In May 2022, CAN Mobilities launched its flagship product a smart cane called – CAN Go. The product has web and mobile interfaces that combine sensors and communication technology to provide insights and help people with mobility challenges. Further, it comes with a built-in light for walking in the dark, a cellular system to contact family members in case of emergencies, sim card support, GPS, and activity tracking. Further, it aims to reduce falling-related injuries among the elderly.

SMART CANE/WALKING STICK MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Segmentation: By Application

• Elderly People
• Disabled People
• Adventurers
• Others

Based on market segmentation by application, disabled people occupy the highest share in the smart cane/walking stick market. Disabled people such as the visually impaired, people with spinal cord injuries, and blind people use smart canes/walking sticks for improved mobility. Further, it helps them in detecting obstacles on their path and prevents them from any loss by using sensor technology, voice technology, ultrasonic sensors and mapping, and others. Moreover, some smart cane/walking stick comes with wheels that increase the speed of walking. Additionally, AI and computer vision technology help visually disabled people to detect objects in place. For example, it helps visually disabled people to shop for groceries through vibrations and voice direction.

Further, the elderly people segment witnessed significant growth in the smart cane/walking stick market. They use smart canes for improved mobility that prevents them from falling or balance loss. Further, elderly with surgeries such as knees and spinal cord surgery require smart cane/walking sticks that help them to move efficiently.

The adventurer segment occupies a sizeable market share due to increased demand from trekkers and hikers for smart walking sticks. Further, AI and GPS-enabled, night assistance walking sticks are increasingly demanded by trekkers for trekking in remote areas or during nighttime.

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa
• South America

Based on market segmentation by region, North America occupies the highest share of the market. Due to advancements in assisted walking technologies and the high prevalence of disabilities, there is an increased demand for smart cane/walking sticks in the market. For instance, diseases such as Arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, and others have increased the usage of smart cane in the region. As per CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), there are 58.5 million adults in the USA that suffer from arthritis. Moreover, research and development in assisted mobility technologies have further increased the demand for smart cane/walking sticks in the market. For instance, Stanford University researchers built a self-navigating smart cane for the visually impaired. It has a LIDAR sensor (a self-moving laser-based technology sensor) that helps users to measure the distance of obstacles and direct the user around those areas.

Asia-Pacific region witnesses a significant growth in the region due to the rising elderly population and increasing support from the government and other agencies have boosted the market for smart cane/walking sticks. Moreover, the entry of tech startups that manufacture smart cane/walking sticks has further increased the market growth of smart cane/walking sticks. For instance, Kyari Innovations, a start-up in India, manufactures a smart walking stick that is equipped with a Led light, a panic alarm, a power bank, and an electrical probe with 10,000 volts of charge.

Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market Key Players:

1. CAN Mobilities
2. WeWalk
3. Super Smart Cane
4. Dr. Odin
5. Phoenix Medical Systems
6. Assitech
7. JORANSON
8. Torchit Electronics Private Limited
9. DT Cane Ltd
10. NOK