GLOBAL ARTIFICIAL MUSCLE MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2024-2031)

The global artificial muscle market was valued at US$ 2,107 Mn in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 4,671.2 Mn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.7% from 2024 to 2031.

Artificial muscles which are also known as polymer gels or polyelectrolyte gels, are gel-like materials that undergo strong contractions or expansions in response to external stimuli like changes in temperature, moisture, or electrical signals. There are two main types of artificial muscles - thermally activated and electroactive polymers. Thermally activated muscles use heat to contract or expand the polymer gel, working similar to human muscles. Electroactive polymer muscles use electrical signals or voltage changes to initiate deformation. These can mimic biological muscles and have potential applications where rapid or delicate movement is required.

Some key advantages of artificial muscles over traditional motors include their light weight, flexibility, response time, and power-to-weight ratio. As they rely on polymer contraction and expansion rather than mechanical movement, they can achieve very high force and power outputs relative to their size. Some potential applications of artificial muscles include robotics, prosthetics, shaping changing structures, minimally invasive surgery tools, and artificial heart pumps. However, disadvantages include limited movement range, fatigue resistance, and durability over prolonged use. More research is still needed to optimize existing materials and technologies to make artificial muscles suitable for widespread commercial and medical use.

Global Artificial Muscle Market Regional Insights

• North America is expected to be the largest market for artificial muscle over the forecast period and it accounted for over 33.6% of the market share in 2024. The U.S. in particular is home to majority of top players engaged in development and commercialization of artificial muscle technologies. The government support for regenerative medicine and exoskeleton research in the country has propelled advancements in materials and designs.
• Europe is expected to be the second-largest market for artificial muscle, which accounted for over 30.4% of the market share in 2024. The growth of the market is due to the high healthcare expenditure.
• Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing market for artificial muscle, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 12.2% during the forecast period. The growth of the market in Asia Pacific is due to the government initiatives to promote research in areas like robotics and bionics have boosted development of artificial muscle technologies.

Figure 1. Global Artificial Muscle Market Share (%), By Region, 2024

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Analyst’s Views:

Global artificial muscle market has great potential for growth in the near future. Driven by the rising demand for human-friendly robots and prosthetics, the demand for artificial muscles is expected to rise substantially. Another major factor aiding the growth of this market is the increasing research and development (R&D) investments by key market players to developed advanced biomimetic actuators. However, high costs that are associated with developing biologically inspired artificial muscles remains a restraint.

Asia Pacific region, especially countries like China, Japan and South Korea, is likely to dominate the artificial muscle market due to presence of leading robotics research institutes and manufacturers. North America will remain another lucrative region due to focus on developments in prosthetics and exoskeletons by U.S. based companies and research organizations. The artificial muscle market is expected to grow the fastest in Europe supported by increasing funding for biorobotics research.

While hydrogel actuators currently account for over 30% of market share, electroactive polymers are emerging as promising alternatives and expected to witness highest growth. Advancements in 3D printing and materials science could help lower production costs and widen applications of artificial muscles in near future. Successful commercialization of soft robotics and neuroprosthetics will create new opportunities. Overall, with continued technological innovation, growing healthcare applications and investments in soft robotics.

Global Artificial Muscle Market Drivers:

• Growing demands for robotic prosthetics: The demand for robotic prosthetics is steadily rising with increasing injuries, accidents, and congenital disabilities. More advanced robotic prosthetics are helping many to regain near normal mobility and functionality. These next generation prosthetics often rely on advanced artificial muscles which mimic real human muscles. As a result of rising needs for such advanced prosthetics, the market for artificial muscles is experiencing significant growth. Several reports point to the growing prosthetics demand. According to the article published by World Health Organization (WHO) 2021, over 1 Mn people undergo amputation annually worldwide due to various reasons. Another report published by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in 2021, states, around 185,000 amputations occur each year in the U.S. alone and the incidence is predicted to increase with diabetes and vascular illnesses becoming more widespread. As demands for high-end prosthetics matching natural counterparts rises, the artificial muscles market catering to prosthetic devices, exoskeletons, and robotics is projected to experience continued growth in the near future. The market is shifting from simple actuators to truly biomimetic solutions
• Rising demand for advanced wearable exoskeleton devices: The demand for advanced wearable exoskeleton devices that can enhance human strength and endurance has been steadily growing in recent years. These powered exoskeleton suits use artificial muscles which mimic the functioning of human muscles, thereby allowing the wearer to perform tasks that require heavy lifting or extensive manual labor with greater ease. According to a report published by the World Health Organization in 2021, over 1 billion people globally will be living with some form of disability by 2050 due to increased aging populations and rising rates of chronic health conditions. This rising prevalence of disabilities and related healthcare issues is anticipated to further drive the adoption of powered exoskeleton devices for medical and personal assistance over the next decade. Similarly, the industrial sector will also continue embracing such strength-augmenting wearable to a greater extent in order to cope with evolving workforce challenges stemming from demographic shifts. This consistent growing demand across key application areas will keep propelling the artificial muscle market forward in the near future.
• Rising prevalence of chronic diseases: As chronic diseases continue affecting more populations globally due to aging, sedentary lifestyles, and other risk factors, the demand for assistive technologies will rise substantially. The artificial muscle industry is therefore expected to witness significant growth opportunities over the next decade. Products catering to therapy, rehabilitation, and elderly care will be in more demand. According to projections by healthcare experts consulted by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), musculoskeletal conditions alone will impact over 1.7 billion people and cost US$ 1.5 trillion annually by 2050 if preventive actions are not strengthened. This clearly exemplifies the looming socio-economic burden and unmet need for effective solutions, thereby propelling the artificial muscle technology market.

Global Artificial Muscle Market Opportunities:

• Emerging economies present large patient pool: The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) burden is increasing most dramatically in developing nations, with heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer deaths projected to increase over 50% by 2030 in these countries. This sharp NCD growth will add extensive new demand in the healthcare sector, including demand for assistive devices powered by innovative technologies like artificial muscles. Their versatility and lower cost makes them appealing options for emerging markets grappling with overburdened healthcare systems and growing disease problems. If developed for specific medical applications, artificial muscle devices could help address both the widening treatment gap and economic concerns in developing nations.
• Growing application areas: Novel applications are being developed to improve existing treatments. For example, artificial muscle pumped gastric balloons are in clinical trials for weight loss management. Compared to existing balloon alternatives, these are potentially safer and more comfortable as muscle action mimics natural peristalsis. Other applications include precision drug delivery pumps and wound closure systems. Artificial muscle bands could even be embedded in sutures to expedite post-operative recovery. Furthermore, researchers are working on artificial muscles that can mimic whole organs and metabolic functions outside the body. According to the report published by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, in 2021, over 820 Mn people suffered from hunger in 2020 with climate change exacerbating food insecurity worldwide. Laboratory prototypes of artificial muscle powered hydroponic farms show promise for sustainable indoor crop production regardless of weather or land constraints. Such innovations may boost food supply reliability and global health nutrition levels in the future.

Global Artificial Muscle Market Trends:

• Miniaturization of devices: As artificial muscles become smaller, it is enabling the possibility of imperceptible prosthetics that could be completely hidden under clothing as well as internal implants that can operate independently without bulky external components. This opens up new opportunities for assistive devices to help restore natural movement for amputees or those with limited mobility. It also helps advance less invasive surgical techniques. For example, in 2023, according to a report published by the U.S. FDA on the use of surgical robots, there was a 25% rise in the number of robotic surgeries using systems like da Vinci that utilize miniature wrists and joints. The reduced size of these robots allows for smaller incisions and faster recovery times for patients.
• Development of self-powered systems: This trend towards self-powered artificial muscles is revolutionizing the sector as it makes these technologies significantly more practical and user-friendly. Not having to change or recharge batteries means self-powered muscles that can be relied upon to function continuously for extended periods. This opens up new opportunities for applications such as soft robotic exoskeletons that assist with physical rehabilitation or prosthetics that restore near-natural movement. Not having to manage an external power source reduces maintenance needs and improves portability. With self-powered systems, artificial muscles can be made lighter and less bulky as they do not need to accommodate heavy batteries.
• Integration of smart technologies: Integration of smart technologies is having a significant influence on the artificial muscle market. With advances in fields like biomedical engineering, nanotechnology, robotics and 3D printing, researchers are able to develop innovative artificial muscle designs that closely mimic the properties of natural human muscle. One example is the development of conductive polymer artificial muscles. Conductive polymers have contractile properties that allow them to shrink or expand in response to electrical stimulation. Researchers are working on improving conductive polymer formulations and fabrication techniques to create artificial muscles with high strength, flexibility and life-like movement capabilities. Several academic research labs have demonstrated conductive polymer-based artificial muscles that can lift weights, provide assistance to disabled individuals and power soft robotic designs. This research is expected to translate into smart prosthetics and orthotics with more natural movement and lifelike feel as compared to traditional powered devices.

Global Artificial Muscle Market Restraints:

• High costs involved: High costs involved are one of the major factors restraining the growth of the global artificial muscle market. Developing an artificial muscle involves extensive research and testing which is a highly expensive process. These artificial muscles are created by mimicking natural muscle fibers and their functioning through complex nanotechnology and materials engineering approaches. Creating synthetic materials that can accomplish the same delicate tasks as natural biological muscles require exploring new fabrication and manufacturing techniques at the molecular level. This level of advanced research and experimentation demands huge investments of both time and funds. Adding to this are the costs of clinical trials that are crucial to test the efficacy and safety of these artificially developed muscles before they can be deployed in humans. With the immediate health implications, the regulatory approvals for these novel medical technologies are understandably very stringent. Conducting robust clinical testing on human volunteers as required by regulatory agencies like the U.S. FDA. involves significant capital outlay. Moreover, setting up advanced research infrastructure with state-of-the-art labs, hiring specialized scientific workforce also requires heavy capital expenditure. All these collectively jack up the overall costs of developing new artificial muscle technologies for medical applications.

Counterbalance: The key market players need to focus on reducing all the overall costs of developing new artificial muscle technologies and thus reduce the high costs involved in the artificial muscles.

• Biocompatibility issues: Biocompatibility issues pose a significant challenge for the growth of the artificial muscle market. When foreign materials are implanted inside the human body, there is always a risk of the body rejecting these materials. The human body has evolved over millions of years to detect and eliminate anything foreign or potentially harmful. Artificial muscles created from synthetic materials do not have the same biochemical composition as natural muscles. Their introduction in the body as replacements or enhancements can trigger an immune response. The body's immune system may try to attack and remove these artificial implants through inflammatory reactions and rejections. This biocompatibility issue arises due to interaction between the synthetic materials that are used in artificial muscles and the surrounding biological tissues in the body. Different materials have varying levels of compatibility with living tissues. While some materials do not cause major issues, others can be highly antigenic and provoke autoimmune diseases. Testing all potential materials and fabricating muscles with optimal biocompatibility remains an ongoing challenge. Any sign of rejection poses health risks to patients and necessitates removal of implants. This significantly hinders the application of artificial muscles in healthcare.

Recent Developments

Key Developments

• In October 2023, Blatchford, the one of the world-renowned prosthetics manufacturer, launched Tectus, a life-changing intelligent orthotic device that enables people with partial lower limb paralysis to walk more easily, naturally and comfortably with increased confidence and safety.
• In 2022, Össur, a company that develops, manufactures and sells non-invasive equipment for orthopaedics, including bracing and support products, compression therapy, and prosthetics, launched its new POWER KNEE, the world’s first actively powered microprocessor prosthetic knee for people with above-knee amputation or limb difference. The POWER KNEE is groundbreaking bionic technology, a motor-powered “smart” prosthesis that uses advanced algorithms to detect human movement patterns, learns and adjusts to its wearer’s speed and cadence in real-time.

Figure 2. Global Artificial Muscle Market Share (%), By Type of Material, 2024

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Top Companies in the Global Artificial Muscle Market

• DuPont
• SRI International
• Foster-Miller, Inc.
• American Artificial Muscle
• Soft Robotics Inc.
• Festo AG & Co. KG
• Qingdao Jinlu JF Machinery Co., Ltd
• Technobots
• Mercatore S.p.A
• Ottawa Artificial Muscle
• Other Prominent Players

Definition: Artificial muscles which are also known as synthetic muscles, are materials or devices that mimic the function of biological muscles by contracting, expanding, or rotating when stimulated. They have the ability to convert chemical or electrical signals into mechanical energy. These materials could be made from a variety of substances including polymers, electroactive polymers (EAPs), shape-memory alloys, and bio-hybrid systems, among others. The development of artificial muscles is a significant area of research within the fields of robotics, prosthetics, and wearable technology.