(Reuters photo)OSAKA - Japanese manufacturers are stepping up development of healthcare rehabilitation robots, as the global market for such equipment is expected to grow rapidly. Companies inside and outside the medical industry seek to tap into the medical robot market. The global rehabilitation robot market is forecast to grow 24.51% over the five years through 2020, according to market research firm Infiniti Research Ltd.Demand for rehabilitation robots could be particularly strong in Japan given the nation's rapidly graying as well as shrinking population. Rehabilitation robots are expected to spread further in Japan if treatment using them were covered by the national health insurance system. "The (rehabilitation robot) market has not been established yet," said Teijin Pharma president Akihisa Nabeshima, adding he hopes the robot treatment will be covered by the insurance system in a few years.

Source: Bangkok Post May 21, 2017 12:22 UTC