FreeBionics
FreeBionics (福寶科技) is a Taiwanese medical robotics company developing powered lower-limb exoskeletons (FREE Walk), joint training systems (NimBO), and wheelchair assist drives (E-KO) for spinal cord injury, stroke, and neurological rehabilitation patients. Founded in 2017 as an ITRI spin-off, it distributes across 20+ markets via USCI Japan and European channel partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersHsinchu, Taiwan
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What FreeBionics does
FreeBionics (福寶科技) is a Taiwanese medical robotics company founded in February 2017 as a spin-off from ITRI's Industrial Technology Research Institute, headquartered in Hsinchu with wholly-owned subsidiaries in Tokyo (FREE Bionics Japan, est. April 2017) and Beijing (FREE Bionics China, est. November 2018). The company designs, manufactures, and distributes powered lower-limb exoskeleton robots and joint rehabilitation devices targeting patients with spinal cord injuries, stroke, and other neurological mobility impairments, as well as the medical institutions that serve them.
Its core product lines are FREE Walk — a powered exoskeleton providing hip and knee joint power assist with intelligent control that responds to user movement intent, self-donning in approximately 5 minutes, 20 kg device weight, 100 kg load capacity, and 2-hour battery life; NimBO (肌力寶) — an intelligent joint activity training system offering isokinetic, isotonic, and isometric modes with auto-adjusting resistance; E-KO — a detachable electric assist drive for manual wheelchairs sold via Japan e-commerce; KneeBO — a knee-joint walking assist; and a Smart Exoskeleton with AI control unveiled at MEDICA 2025. The technology stack is CE, MDSAP, TFDA, ISO 13485, and GMP certified.
FreeBionics monetizes through hardware sales (FREE Walk, NimBO, E-KO, KneeBO), recurring robot rental/leasing (notably Japan home-rental programs), and fee-based professional training services (~NT$1,000/session at public events; ~20-hour certification courses). Distribution runs primarily through medical device channel partners — USCI Japan for Japan, seven European distributors across Poland, Belgium, UK, Italy, Netherlands, and Greece, and Deltason Medical for APAC — supplemented by direct sales via company training centers in Taiwan, Japan, and the Czech Republic. End customers are hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities, with growing consumer/individual sales via Japan e-commerce and Taiwan public welfare experience events.
FreeBionics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FreeBionics
- Legal name
- Freebionics Inc.
- Website
- https://freebionics.com.tw
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- FreeBionics (福寶科技) is a Taiwanese medical robotics company developing powered lower-limb exoskeletons (FREE Walk), joint training systems (NimBO), and wheelchair assist drives (E-KO) for spinal cord injury, stroke, and neurological rehabilitation patients. Founded in 2017 as an ITRI spin-off, it distributes across 20+ markets via USCI Japan and European channel partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FreeBionics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Medical Rehabilitation Robotics
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Surgical Appliance and Supplies Manufacturing (339113), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Limb Prosthetics (Upper/Lower Extremity Prosthetic Systems) (HLAHAEAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Healthcare & Assistive Robotics (HDAAAIAC), Prosthetics/Orthotics Rehab & Amputee Rehabilitation (HSADAIAN)
Keywords
Where FreeBionics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hsinchu
- HQ country
- Taiwan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices5 records
Markets served
FreeBionics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - FREE Walk: Sale of powered lower-limb exoskeleton robots for walking rehabilitation. Products are available for purchase in Taiwan and Japan, with distribution through medical device channels.
- Robot Rental/Leasing: Rental solutions available for users who prefer not to purchase the device outright. Home rental programs offered in Japan.
- Training Services: Robot training courses provided at training centers and cooperative medical institutions. Training requires approximately 20 hours of basic course completion. Fee-based training services at NT$1,000 per session for public events.
- Hardware Sales - NimBO: Sale of NimBO joint activity training equipment for rehabilitation facilities and hospitals to assist patients with muscle weakness, post-surgery recovery, and neurological injuries.
- E-KO Wheelchair Assist Drive Sales: Sale of detachable electric assist drives for manual wheelchairs, enabling users to convert manual wheelchairs to electric-powered. Available through e-commerce platform in Japan.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One-time | Public robot training experience event - NT$1,000 per person |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | FREE Walk specifications indicate 100kg maximum load, 20kg device weight, applicable height 150-190cm |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
FreeBionics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FreeBionics designs, manufactures, and sells powered lower-limb exoskeleton robots and rehabilitation devices. Its flagship product FREE Walk provides hip and knee joint power assistance for individuals with lower-limb weakness, while NimBO delivers joint mobility and muscle strength training. The company complements its hardware with professional robot training courses delivered through training centers and cooperative medical institutions across Taiwan, Japan, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Product overview
FreeBionics (福寶科技) is a developer of exoskeleton and bionic technology products. Its product portfolio comprises two main hardware product lines: FREE Walk (a powered lower-limb exoskeleton robot providing hip and knee joint power assist) and NimBO 肌力寶 (an intelligent joint activity training system with isokinetic/isotonic/isometric modes). In Japan, the company additionally markets E-KO (a detachable electric assist drive for manual wheelchairs) and KneeBO (a knee-joint walking motion assist). A Smart Exoskeleton with AI control was previewed at MEDICA 2025 but is not yet publicly available. All products are complemented by professional robot training courses delivered at company training centers and cooperative medical institutions across Taiwan, Japan, and Europe.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- FREE Walk: Lower-limb powered exoskeleton robot designed for people with lower limb weakness, providing gait assistance for sitting, standing, and walking. Awarded the R&D 100 Award and SNQ certification.
- NimBO
- E-KO
- KneeBO
- FB Suit
- Smart Exoskeleton
Products and services
- FREE Walk (Lower-limb Powered Exoskeleton Robot) Powered lower-limb exoskeleton robot providing hip and knee joint power assistance for individuals with spinal cord injuries, stroke, or neurological damage. Enables standing, walking, and gait training. Designed for medical institutions and rehabilitation centers, with deployment also to individual users via training centers.
- NimBO 肌力寶 (Joint Activity Training System) Intelligent joint mobility and muscle strength training device with isokinetic, isotonic, and isometric modes for rehabilitation patients with muscle weakness, post-surgery recovery, and neurological injuries. Designed for hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and clinical demonstration sites.
- E-KO 車椅子アシストドライブ (Wheelchair Assist Drive) Detachable electric assist drive for manual wheelchairs that provides powered propulsion assistance on slopes, uneven terrain, and long-distance travel. Sold through Japan e-commerce (freebionics.theshop.jp) to wheelchair users.
- KneeBO 歩行運動アシスト (Knee Walking Motion Assist) Knee-joint walking exercise assist device for people with lower limb rehabilitation needs, marketed in the Japan market as a walking exercise support product.
- Robot Training Courses Professional robot operation training services delivered at company training centers and cooperative medical institutions, designed to certify physiotherapists, clinicians, and users on exoskeleton operation. Includes approximately 20 hours of basic training plus ongoing support.
Quantifiable outcome
- FREE Walk won 2021 Global Innovation Challenge champion from 9 international exoskeleton companies
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use FreeBionics
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
FreeBionics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature6 records
FreeBionics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- 比翼生醫minorPartner venue provider for '2025 AI Tech-Assisted Walking Exoskeleton Robot Public Welfare Experience Events' in Taiwan, helping organize events across Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.
- 台中愛心家園minorPartner venue provider for public welfare experience events, providing space and resources for exoskeleton demonstration activities.
- 亞灣新創園minorPartner venue provider for Kaohsiung location of public welfare experience events.
- 埔里基督教醫院 (Puli Christian Hospital)coreFREE Bionics partnered with Puli Christian Hospital and the Industrial Development Administration to create the first 'Intelligent Rehabilitation Clinical Demonstration Site' in Nantou, Taiwan. The site deploys NimBO and FREE Walk systems with the hospital's rehabilitation team.
- Czech Health Technology Institute (GHI)minorFREE Bionics was invited to GHI event organized by Czech Health Technology Institute to showcase AI-driven exoskeleton rehabilitation solutions. Presented to Czech First Lady, Ukrainian First Lady, and health ministers from Czech and neighboring countries.
- 明陽來村minorPartnership with 明陽來村 and 詠家工作室 to host '2024 Exoskeleton Robot Technology Training Experience Event' in Taipei, expanding reach to individual consumers and caregivers.
- 越南175軍醫院 (Vietnam 175 Military Hospital)minorVietnam 175 Military Hospital hosted Taiwan-Vietnam Tech Care KOL Training Workshop with over 100 participants from medical professionals. FREE Bionics demonstrated FREE Walk in the Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Program.
- Leverwell (Japan)minorLeverwell Kango conducted interview coverage of FREE Bionics Japan as part of their healthcare industry coverage, highlighting the company's solutions for medical professionals and patients.
- JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization)minorJETRO featured FREE Bionics Japan in their 'Diversity x Manufacturing' series, featuring the company's technology and international expansion story.
- KOORDYNACJA (Poland)minorKOORDYNACJA became FREE Bionics' Polish sales agent in summer 2019, providing FREE Walk products and related services to customers in Europe.
- USCI JapancoreUSCI Japan, Japan's largest medical device distributor, signed partnership agreement with FREE Bionics in August 2017 to introduce FREE Walk to more than 10 major hospitals in Japan. USCI has over 1,300 hospital customers in Japan with annual revenue of approximately 23 billion yen.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves13 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FreeBionics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cyberdyne: Japan-based developer of the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) wearable cyborg/robot suit for lower-limb, single-joint, and lumbar assistance. Direct peer competing in the same powered exoskeleton for rehabilitation and mobility category, with stronger Japan market presence and public-company R&D scale.
- Ekso Bionics: US-listed developer of the EksoGT and EksoNR powered exoskeletons for stroke, spinal cord injury, and acquired brain injury rehabilitation in hospitals. Direct peer with overlapping clinical rehabilitation customer base and similar go-to-market into medical centers.
- ReWalk Robotics: Israel/US-listed developer of the ReWalk Personal 6.0 and ReStore soft exoskeleton for spinal cord injury and stroke rehabilitation. Direct peer offering both personal-use and clinical powered exoskeleton systems to similar end customers.
- Wandercraft: France-based developer of Atalante, a self-balancing lower-limb exoskeleton for personal mobility and rehabilitation. Direct peer targeting similar spinal cord injury and stroke use cases with a more hands-free / autonomous gait approach.
Emerging players
- Bionik Laboratories: US/Canada-based developer of the InMotion Arm and InMotion Connect upper-limb and lower-extremity rehabilitation robots. Comparable as a rehabilitation robotics company serving hospitals, though with stronger upper-limb focus.
- Rex Bionics: New Zealand-based developer of the REX robotic mobility device, a hands-free self-supporting exoskeleton for wheelchair users. Comparable niche player in the powered mobility/rehabilitation category, primarily serving personal-use and clinical rehab customers.
- Fourier Intelligence: Shanghai-based developer of rehabilitation robotics including the ExoMotus lower-limb exoskeleton, plus upper-limb and ankle robots. Comparable emerging player addressing the same spinal cord injury and stroke rehab market, with a broader product portfolio and strong China presence.
Broad incumbents
- Parker Hannifin (Indego): Parker Hannifin's Indego is a powered lower-limb exoskeleton offering (now operating under the Indego brand). Comparable as a large industrial conglomerate's exoskeleton product competing in clinical and personal mobility segments, with far greater financial and channel resources.
- Honda Motor (Walking Assist): Honda's Walking Assist Device is a light-weight, cooperative-type exoskeleton for gait training in clinical and elderly care settings. Comparable as a major mobility OEM's rehabilitation robotics play, with vastly larger R&D and global distribution.
- Toyota Motor (Partner Robot / Welwalk): Toyota's Welwalk WW-2000 is a robotic leg brace system for stroke rehabilitation gait training. Comparable as a large Japanese OEM's rehabilitation robotics product, with deep hospital relationships in Japan and globally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
FreeBionics social profiles
Digital presenceFreeBionics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
FreeBionics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FreeBionics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
FreeBionics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
FreeBionics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FreeBionics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about FreeBionics
What does FreeBionics do?
FreeBionics designs, manufactures, and sells powered lower-limb exoskeleton robots and rehabilitation devices. Its flagship product FREE Walk provides hip and knee joint power assistance for individuals with lower-limb weakness, while NimBO delivers joint mobility and muscle strength training. The company complements its hardware with professional robot training courses delivered through training centers and cooperative medical institutions across Taiwan, Japan, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Is FreeBionics a public or private company?
FreeBionics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was FreeBionics founded?
FreeBionics was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is FreeBionics based?
FreeBionics is headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan, in the Asia region.
How does FreeBionics make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales - FREE Walk is the primary driver. The others are robot Rental/Leasing, training Services, hardware Sales - NimBO and E-KO Wheelchair Assist Drive Sales.
Who are FreeBionics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cyberdyne, Ekso Bionics, ReWalk Robotics and Wandercraft. Emerging players are Bionik Laboratories, Rex Bionics and Fourier Intelligence. Broad incumbents are Parker Hannifin (Indego), Honda Motor (Walking Assist) and Toyota Motor (Partner Robot / Welwalk).
Does FreeBionics have an API?
No public API is recorded for FreeBionics.
What industry is FreeBionics in?
FreeBionics's product category is Medical Rehabilitation Robotics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAHAEAH, Limb Prosthetics (Upper/Lower Extremity Prosthetic Systems), with a secondary code of HDAAAIAC, Healthcare & Assistive Robotics. Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3842.