What Orthopus does

Orthopus is a French medical equipment manufacturer founded in November 2018 in Nantes, France, that designs and produces robotic assistive devices for people with upper limb mobility impairments. The company's flagship product, the ORTHOPUS Supporter, is a Class I CE-marked medical device under EU MDR 2017/745 that compensates for arm weight and assists vertical movements through two operating modes (FIXE for fixed-height support and LIBRE for free movement). It is built on a proprietary technical stack including a planar linkage mechanism with integrated slip ring, a custom electronic main board running embedded firmware, and a custom mechatronic actuator combining an electric motor, speed reducer, sensors, microcontrollers, and proprietary orchestration firmware. The device attaches to electric wheelchairs or tables/desks and offers adjustable force compensation up to 4kg, making it suitable for users from age 7 through adulthood with conditions including myopathy, muscular dystrophy, musculoskeletal disorders, spinal cord injuries, ALS, and congenital upper limb absence.

The company operates an exclusively B2B distribution model in France through two specialized medical equipment distributors, ERGO-DIFFUSION (Rennes) and CREE (Rhône-Alpes), both with national reseller networks, as well as AFM Téléthon-supported upper-limb consultation centers. Orthopus does not sell directly to consumers; pricing is quote-based with full cost transparency, fixed in euros excl. tax, and validated for one-month periods. Two additional products are in active development: the ORTHOPUS Partner (planned 2026 launch), which extends support to three axes, and the ORTHOPUS Explorer, which adds a 6-motor articulating gripper for grasping and manipulating objects. The company holds ESUS social enterprise certification since 2019, follows ISO 13485 quality management recommendations, and raised €2 million in seed funding in February 2023 from Bpifrance and Enchanted Tools. Leadership is founder-led by David Gouaillier as President and Captain.

Name

Orthopus

Legal name

ORTHOPUS SAS

Website

https://orthopus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Orthopus is a French medical equipment manufacturer that designs robotic assistive devices for people with upper limb mobility impairments. Its core product, the ORTHOPUS Supporter, compensates arm weight through proprietary mechatronics, sold exclusively B2B via French medical distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Assistive Medical Robotics (Upper-Limb Mobility Devices)

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Healthcare & Assistive Robotics (HDAAAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Orthotics & Bracing (AFO/KAFO, Spinal, Soft Goods Supports) (HLAHAMAC)

Keywords

• Robotic assistive devices
• Arm mobility aids
• Medical robotics
• Assistive technology
• Upper limb orthotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Nantes

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Robotic Assistive Device Sales: ORTHOPUS generates revenue through the sale of robotic assistive devices for arm mobility and their accessories. Products are sold exclusively to specialized distributors of medical equipment, healthcare establishments, and disability associations. Prices are fixed per quote, not publicly listed, and expressed in euros excl. tax.
2. Accessories and Peripherals: Sale of accessories for robotic assistive devices including orthoses available in multiple sizes (S, M, L, XL), customizable color shells, and other peripherals. Sold through the same B2B distribution channel.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Orthopus designs, manufactures and sells robotic assistive devices for upper-limb mobility, with the ORTHOPUS Supporter (Class I CE-marked medical device) compensating arm weight and assisting vertical movements, and the ORTHOPUS Partner and ORTHOPUS Explorer products in development for multi-axis movement and object manipulation. Devices are sold exclusively through B2B channels (medical equipment distributors, healthcare establishments, disability associations) with quote-based pricing.

Product overview

ORTHOPUS offers a range of robotic assistive devices for arm mobility, consisting of three products: the ORTHOPUS Supporter (currently available), the ORTHOPUS Partner (in development), and the ORTHOPUS Explorer (in development). The Supporter is the core product that compensates for arm weight and assists vertical movements through two modes (FIXE and LIBRE). The Partner extends capabilities to 3-axis arm movement assistance. The Explorer adds grasping and object manipulation via an articulating gripper with 6 motors. All devices are medical devices certified CE Class I, designed for people with upper limb mobility challenges including muscle weakness, myopathy, and musculoskeletal disorders. Products are customizable with multiple colors and manufactured in France.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ORTHOPUS Supporter: Robotic arm assistive device that compensates arm weight and assists vertical movements for people with muscle weakness
• ORTHOPUS Partner
• ORTHOPUS Explorer

Products and services

• ORTHOPUS Supporter Robotic assistive arm device that compensates for arm weight and assists vertical movements. Features two operating modes: FIXE (maintains a fixed arm height) and LIBRE (accompanies natural arm movement). Attaches to electric wheelchairs or tables/desks and draws power from the wheelchair battery or AC power. Designed for individuals aged 7 through adulthood with upper-limb muscle weakness.

Quantifiable outcome

• Force compensation of 0 to 4kg adjustable per user preference
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PermiganauminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 April 2025Permiganau is a Belgian distributor/exhibitor that partnered with ORTHOPUS to host a joint booth (Booth A2-23) at the REVA trade show in Gent, Belgium from April 24-26, 2025. This collaboration extends ORTHOPUS's presence into the Belgian market.
• EXTENDER ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2025A research collaboration for robotic arm control technology. ORTHOPUS issued a press release in February 2025 titled 'The Extender Project to Control a Robotic Arm' detailing this initiative. The project involves controlling a robotic arm, likely through brain-computer interface (BCI) or similar advanced control technology.
• ERGO-DIFFUSIONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorERGO-DIFFUSION is a specialized distributor of assistive devices for upper limb movement based in Rennes, France, operating throughout France via a reseller network. They distribute ORTHOPUS Supporter and other assistive technology products, serving as the primary distribution channel reaching end-user patients through healthcare professionals.
• CREEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCREE is a distributor based in the Rhône-Alpes region of France with national coverage, specializing in assistive technical devices. They distribute ORTHOPUS products through their national reseller network and serve as a key channel partner for reaching patients and healthcare establishments.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Focal Meditech: Dutch manufacturer of dynamic arm supports (iARM, iFLOAT) mounted to wheelchairs that compensate arm weight for users with muscle weakness — the closest direct competitor to ORTHOPUS Supporter in product, channel, and target user.
• Assistive Innovations: Dutch developer of Sling iQ and other mechanical/dynamic arm supports for upper-limb impairments, distributing across Europe to healthcare professionals — competes head-to-head with Orthopus in the same reimbursement-driven clinical channel.
• Kinova Robotics: Canadian manufacturer of the JACO robotic arm, a wheelchair-mounted assistive manipulator for upper-limb disability. Comparable technology (multi-axis actuated arm) and overlap in user population (muscular dystrophy, ALS, spinal cord injury).

Broad incumbents

• Hocoma (DIH): Swiss-based rehabilitation robotics company (now part of DIH) offering Armeo Power and other robotic therapy devices for upper-limb rehabilitation in clinical settings — broader portfolio but addresses the same clinical buyer (OTs, rehab hospitals) and adjacent use cases.
• Ekso Bionics: US-listed developer of robotic exoskeletons (EksoGT, Evone) primarily for lower-limb gait rehabilitation; comparable as a publicly traded rehabilitative robotics peer, though not directly competing in upper-limb weight compensation.
• Ottobock: Global market leader in prosthetics, orthotics, and wheelchair seating — overlaps with Orthopus in the upper-limb disability category and in distribution to orthotists/rehab professionals, though Ottobock does not currently offer an active robotic arm support equivalent to the Supporter.
• Cyberdyne: Japanese developer of the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) robotic suit series for lower-limb and single-joint upper-limb assistance — adjacent technology and clinical positioning in rehabilitation/assistive robotics, though distribution and user base are concentrated in Asia.

Emerging players

• Marsi Bionics: Spanish startup developing pediatric and adult active exoskeletons (ABLE) for gait and limb assistance — comparable as a European early-stage rehab robotics player with social-impact positioning, though focused on lower-limb gait rather than upper-limb weight compensation.
• Bionik Laboratories: North American developer of the InMotion ARM robotic rehabilitation system for clinical upper-limb therapy — overlaps with the Partner/Explorer roadmap in upper-limb robotic therapy, though positioned for clinic use rather than personal wheelchair-mounted use.
• Axosuits / Roam Robotics: European early-stage exoskeleton/robotic suit developers (Axosuits, Roam) focused on mobility assistance — adjacent category peers building European rehab/assistive robotics businesses at similar scale and stage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@_ORTHOPUS
• LinkedInfr.linkedin.com/company/orthopus
• Instagraminstagram.com/orthopuslab
• TikToktiktok.com/@orthopus
• Xx.com/Orthopuslab

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Orthopus