Personal Mobility Devices Market – Maneuvering the lucrative way to independence

A few startling facts

• According to the WHO, approximately 1.71 billion people have musculoskeletal conditions worldwide.
• Around 764,000 people in the U.S. (including children and adults) have at least one symptom of cerebral palsy.
• More than 350 million people have arthritis globally as of 2021.
• According to the National Library of Medicine, around 150000 patients per year undergo a lower extremity amputation in the United States due to diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, neuropathy, and trauma.
• Every year around 20 to 50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries in road mishaps with many incurring a disability as a result of their injury as reported by the WHO

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What is Mobility Impairment?

Any kind of disability which leads to physical damage or detriment to the extent of loss of functional movement is referred to as mobility impairment. It includes disability in coordination with different organs of the body or upper or lower limb loss or disability and any kind of manual dexterity. Disability in mobility can either be congenital, accidental, or acquired with age or due to some serious health issue. People with broken skeletal structures also fall into this category of disability. Physical disability can be related to health conditions such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, amputation, multiple sclerosis, pulmonary disease, heart disease, or others. The patient may find difficulty in independent movement either totally or partially and may need manual or device assistance for it.

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Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) or Devices

Persons with physical impairment disabilities often use assistive devices, or mobility aids such as crutches, canes, wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and artificial limbs to obtain mobility. Personal Mobility Aids (PMAs) or devices are designed to carry an individual who is unable to walk or has difficulties in movement.

By using these devices, a patient can -

• Become independent
• Manage his disability
• Enhance his level of well-being,
• Enhance his ability to participate in society
• Become economically stable
• Live a fulfilling life

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Personal Mobility Devices –Market Research Synopsis

The current, estimated size and growth rate (CAGR) of the Personal Mobility Devices Market

The global Personal Mobility Devices Market size was valued at ~USD 18.34 billion as of 2022 and is expected to reach ~USD 32.6 billion by 2035 growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5 % from 2023 to 2035.

Trends favoring the market growth

The increasing geriatric population worldwide- As per a report by the WHO in 2022, the share of the population aged 60 years and over is anticipated to increase from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion in 2030. By 2050, the world's population of people aged 60 years and older is expected to reach 2.1 billion, almost double. The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million.

The increasing life expectancy- As per WHO estimates the trend for the longevity of lifespans is increasing. Globally, life expectancy has increased by more than 6 years in the last two decades. It was 66.8 years in 2000 and went up to 73.4 years in 2019. The high prevalence of arthritis and other musculoskeletal disorders- More than 22% of American adults (over 52.5 million people) have arthritis or another rheumatic condition diagnosed by a doctor, and by 2030, the number is expected to rise to 67 million. Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability in 160 countries. It includes more than 150 different diseases/conditions that affect the system and are characterized by impairments in the muscles, bones, joints, and adjacent connective tissues leading to temporary or lifelong limitations in functioning and participation.

The rising number of accidents causing injuries- According to the WHO, car crashes and traffic injuries are the main reason behind death and disability for ages between 3 and 35 years.

The rising war scenario globally- Soldiers from war-inflicted countries and other armed personnel suffer serious injuries which can disable them for life. The U.S. military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan had the most casualties with more than 53,000 wounded in action. In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, 11,662 civilians were reported to have been injured and more than 120,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 200,000 Russian soldiers were killed and wounded.

The introduction of innovative and advanced personal mobility devices- Technological advancements in the field of personal mobility devices have facilitated sophistication along with convenience among people and hence boosted the growth of the market.

Trends negatively impacting the market growth

• The technologically advanced devices are costly
• High investments are involved in innovation and product development
• The procedures for regulatory approval can be cumbersome
• The use of these mobility devices can be complicated.

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Research Nester recently published an article with a detailed and in-depth analysis of the Personal Mobility Devices Market.

The prominent players in the Personal Mobility Devices Market are-

Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare; GF Health Products, Inc.; Invacare Corporation; Carex Health Brands, Inc.; Kaye Products, Inc.; Briggs Healthcare; Medline Industries, Inc.; NOVA Medical Products; Performance Health; Rollz International

Latest Developments in the field

• Drive Medical has partnered with Marketing Architects to launch The HurryCane® brand as HurryRoll® on TV and make it reach the next level of mobility with a new TV ad campaign. Marketing Architects, the Minneapolis-based advertising agency has launched the HurryRoll®, a new rollator, on TV with an ad campaign called “Ready. Set. Roll!”
• Invacare Corporation has been recognized by Mobility Management magazine in multiple product categories for outstanding product and technology development in complex rehab and leading mobility and seating products.

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Regional Distribution of the Personal Mobility Devices Market

North America is estimated to dominate the personal mobility devices market with the largest revenue share. As per a report, the U.S. holds 80% of the share in the region owing to the following factors-

• According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. Department of Transportation, 25.5 million Americans have travel-limiting disabilities of which 13.4 million are aged 18 to 64 and 11.2 million are aged 65 or more. Among them, 3.6 million Americans do not leave their homes because of their disability.
• Longer life expectancy among Americans has increased the incidence of disease and disability in America.
• In the United States, nearly 30% of the 46 million older people who live in the community, live alone, and about half of the people who are 85 years or older living in a community live alone and need some form of device assistance.
• Apart from that, in 2020, 1 in 4 adults i.e., 23.7% of the U.S. population (58.5 million people) had arthritis as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• According to the Amputee Coalition, approximately 185,000 amputations occur in the United States each year and a staggering 3.6 million people will be living with limb loss—the surgical removal (amputation) of an arm or leg—by 2050

Apart from that, in the North American region, there are various programs initiated by governments of Canada and the U.S. for helping people living with disabilities. In Ontario, the Department of Health and Long-Term Care provides support and funding to residents with long-term disabilities under the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) covering the cost of items, such as wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, scooters, and specialized seating. Moreover, the high disposable income better infrastructure are also favoring the market.

Europe shows high potential for personal mobility devices. Germany is considered to lead the market in this region considering its reimbursement policies and presence of advanced medical resources. On 14 September 2022, the European Commission held a workshop on the technical requirements and road safety of personal mobility devices (PMD). It facilitated the exchange of ideas with authorities and stakeholders on national rules to regulate the safety and approval mechanisms of personal mobility devices such as e-scooters, cargo bikes, or self-standing devices and to design best practices preferable as common rules. The Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA-EU) has previously called for changes in regulations that seriously hindered manufacturers of eMobility solutions.

The Asia Pacific region personal mobility devices market is estimated to grow at a high CAGR, considering the growing geriatric population in China, Japan, and India. Apart from that, the developing health facilities and government-initiated programs are also driving the market in this region. In India, the ADIP Scheme is in operation since 1981 with the main objective to assist needy disabled persons to reduce the effects of their disabilities that hinder their day-to-day lifestyle and enhance their economic potential. The scheme facilitates the easy procuring of durable, sophisticated, and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation.

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Conclusion:

In a nutshell, it can be said that personal mobility devices are becoming an essential part of aging communities and people with disabilities to live a life of self-respect and independence. The market holds a lot of promising prospects for key players and investors alike. A recent report from Research Nester gives a detailed account of the market’s potential regarding its profitable growth.