Project MARCH

What Project MARCH does

Project MARCH is a non-profit student team based at TU Delft in the Netherlands (legal entity: Stichting Moving Bird, founded January 2015) that develops powered lower-body exoskeletons to enable people with paraplegia to stand and walk. The organisation operates on an annual (and from 2026, two-year) team cycle in which approximately 27 multidisciplinary TU Delft students — covering mechanical, embedded systems, software, control, motion planning, and human-machine interaction — design, build, and publicly demonstrate a new exoskeleton prototype each generation, from the failed MARCH I (2015–2016) to the current MARCH XI.

The technology stack includes ROS-based architecture, custom MDrive motor controllers, depth cameras for environment scanning, pressure soles with load cells, EEG brain-computer interface, Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithms, custom torque sensors, and passive/active ankle joints. Across eleven generations the team has demonstrated 70% torque increases to 250 Nm (MARCH VI), 4x faster embedded communication (MARCH VIII), 40% frame weight reduction (MARCH IX), and 45 integrated sensors (MARCH X). Pilots are sourced exclusively through platinum partner Sint Maartenskliniek, and the exoskeletons are demonstrated annually at Reveal events (600+ attendees) and at the international Cybathlon competition (ETH Zürich) since 2016.

Project MARCH has no commercial revenue stream. The exoskeleton is explicitly not intended for market sale; all design, sensor, and research data is published as open source to accelerate global exoskeleton development. Operations are funded through in-kind and financial contributions from a tiered network of 30+ industry partners (DSW as main partner; Siemens, Sint Maartenskliniek and TU Delft at Platinum; plus Gold, Silver and Bronze tier technology suppliers), donations via the TU Delft Support platform, and crowdfunding campaigns such as Dam tot Damloop. Team members, pilots, and board members receive no remuneration, and the foundation is governed by an unpaid nine-person board.

Name

Project MARCH

Legal name

Stichting Moving Bird

Website

https://projectmarch.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Project MARCH is a non-profit TU Delft student team developing powered lower-body exoskeletons that enable people with paraplegia to stand and walk, publishing all designs as open source and funded by donations and partner contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Medical Exoskeletons

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports & Active Rehabilitation Devices (Adaptive Sports Mobility, Performance Prosthetics) (HLAHAMAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Rehabilitation Return-to-Exercise Training (Non-Clinical) (HSADAAAK)

Keywords

• Medical exoskeletons
• Rehabilitation robotics
• Paraplegia mobility devices
• Powered lower-body exoskeleton
• Spinal cord injury technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Delft

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Crowdfunding: As a non-profit organization, Project MARCH raises funds through donations via the official TU Delft Support platform and crowdfunding campaigns such as the Dam tot Damloop. All donations support development of the exoskeleton, demonstrations, educational activities, and awareness around spinal cord injuries.
2. Partner Support: Partners provide financial support, consultancy services, and produce/manufacture parts for the exoskeleton. Partners receive returns for their contributions including social media exposure, event attendance, and recognition.
3. No Commercial Revenue: Project MARCH explicitly states it does not aim to develop an exoskeleton to put on the market. The organization is research-focused and all data is open source. No salaries or financial compensation is provided to team members or pilots.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Project MARCH is a non-profit student team that designs and builds a new powered lower-body exoskeleton prototype each year (MARCH I through MARCH XI) to enable people with paraplegia to stand and walk. The exoskeleton takes over the muscle, nerve, and bone function of the lower body, featuring motorized hip, knee, and ankle joints, depth cameras, pressure-sensitive soles, EEG brain-computer interface, Model Predictive Control algorithms, and custom MDrive motor controllers. The organization does not sell the exoskeleton commercially; all research data is open source.

Product overview

Project MARCH develops a single, continuously evolving line of powered lower-body exoskeletons for people with spinal cord injury. Each generation (MARCH I through MARCH X) represents iterative improvements in design, materials, sensors, and control systems. The core product consists of motorized hip, knee, and ankle joints (rotational and linear), a backpack containing computer and battery, pressure-sensitive soles, depth cameras, input device (IPD), and custom motor controllers (MDrives). Key technological advances across generations include: depth cameras for environment scanning, pressure soles for balance detection, EEG brain-computer interface for hands-free control, Model Predictive Control algorithms, and passive/active ankle joints. The exoskeleton takes over muscle, nerve and bone function of the lower body, enabling paraplegic users to stand up and walk again.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MARCH X Exoskeleton The 10th generation powered lower-body exoskeleton featuring coupled linear joints at the ankle for active disturbance resistance, Model Predictive Control algorithm for real-time balance prediction, redesigned pressure soles with 4 load-cells per foot, 45 total sensors, and IMU sensors integrated into MDrives throughout the exoskeleton. Designed for people with paraplegia.
• MARCH IX Exoskeleton The 9th generation exoskeleton designed for Cybathlon 2024, featuring ankle inversion/eversion joint for passive balance support, 40% frame weight reduction via topology optimization, custom MDrive motor controllers, and crutch-free balanced walking capability. Features Delft Blue special edition cover in collaboration with Royal Delft.
• MARCH VIII Exoskeleton The 8th generation exoskeleton featuring EEG brain control continuation, custom torque sensors, Model Predictive Control, improved linear joints (2x faster and stronger), wireless IPD using smartwatch technology, and IMU for balance measurement.
• MARCH VII Exoskeleton The 7th generation exoskeleton featuring depth cameras for dynamic walking, click-on shoes system, splash-proof design, redesigned translational joints (3x stronger, 15% wider range of motion), and first EEG brain control investigation.
• MARCH VI Exoskeleton The 6th generation exoskeleton featuring RealSense depth cameras, Model Predictive Control, hinge for ease access (60 degrees extra leg spread), motorized hip/knee/ankle joints with 70% torque increase to 250 Nm, and doubled battery capacity.
• MARCH IVc Exoskeleton The 5th generation exoskeleton variant modified for Cybathlon 2020, featuring adjustable crutch with pulley system, gainscheduling control method, modular IPD, and splash-proof safety features.

Quantifiable outcome

• All Cybathlon obstacles completed in under 15 minutes with MARCH IVc
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Feature11 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered main, platinum, gold, silver, core, minor and bronze.

• DSWmainOthersMain partner of Project MARCH, providing primary financial and strategic support for the exoskeleton development project.
• SiemensplatinumTechnology or IntegrationPlatinum partner providing technology integration and consultancy support for the exoskeleton development.
• Sint MaartenskliniekplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner and critical healthcare collaborator. Sint Maartenskliniek is a specialized hospital dealing with human movement and rehabilitation, providing the pilot referral program and medical expertise for the project.
• TU DelftplatinumStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum partner and host institution. Provides the Dream Hall facility on campus, institutional support, student recruitment pipeline, and administrative infrastructure including the TU Delft Support donation platform.
• SiouxgoldTechnology or IntegrationGold partner providing consultancy and technology support for the exoskeleton development.
• BeckhoffgoldTechnology or IntegrationGold partner providing technology solutions and consultancy for the project's automation and control systems.
• DEMCONsilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing technology and engineering consultancy support.
• 3DmarcsilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing 3D scanning, modeling, or manufacturing support.
• DEMO (TU Delft)silverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner affiliated with TU Delft, providing development and manufacturing support.
• gtecsilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing technology solutions, potentially related to EEG/brain-computer interface hardware.
• ENSERIOsilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing technology and engineering consultancy.
• SchaefflersilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing motion technology components and engineering support.
• RLSsilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing technology solutions, likely related to sensors or motion tracking.
• FemtosilverTechnology or IntegrationSilver partner providing photonics or sensor technology support.
• Formotion OrthopediesilverStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilver partner providing orthopaedic expertise and medical device support for the exoskeleton development.
• Cybathlon (ETH Zürich)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject MARCH participates in the Cybathlon organized by ETH Zürich. The Cybathlon is a global competition where teams from around the world compete in exoskeleton races with obstacles representing daily activities for wheelchair users. Project MARCH has participated since 2016.
• Royal DelftminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial collaboration for MARCH IX covering the left lower leg with Delft Blue design, representing the Netherlands and city of Delft at Cybathlon 2024.
• Allied MotionbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing motion technology components.
• AltiumbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing PCB design software and technology support.
• CC EngineeringbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing engineering consultancy services.
• ExactbronzeOthersBronze partner providing business software solutions.
• RS ComponentsbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing electronic components and parts for the exoskeleton.
• Odido (Millen)bronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing technology and connectivity solutions.
• AltenbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing engineering and technology consultancy.
• DeltaElektronikabronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing power electronics and technology support.
• EurocircuitsbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing PCB manufacturing services.
• OsbornebronzeOthersBronze partner providing technology or business support.
• Hampshire (Hotel Delft Centre)bronzeOthersBronze partner, possibly providing hospitality support for events and visiting partners.
• STUDbronzeOthersBronze partner providing technology or engineering services.
• WE-online (Würth Elektronik)bronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing electronic components and connector solutions.
• RT-LabsbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing software and technology solutions.
• AdvantechbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing embedded computing and automation technology.
• Althen Sensors & MeasurementbronzeTechnology or IntegrationBronze partner providing sensor and measurement technology solutions.
• DON (Dwarslaesie Organisatie Nederland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriend of MARCH partner representing Dutch spinal cord injury community, aligning with the mission of the project.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ekso Bionics: Ekso Bionics develops powered exoskeletons for medical and industrial use, including the EksoGT for spinal cord injury rehabilitation. It is a direct peer in the same powered lower-body exoskeleton category targeting paraplegic and stroke patients.
• Cyberdyne: Cyberdyne develops the HAL (Hybrid Assistive Limb) powered exoskeleton series for medical and welfare applications including spinal cord injury. It competes in the same powered exoskeleton-for-paraplegia category and is a long-standing Cybathlon participant.
• Wandercraft: Wandercraft builds the Atalante self-balancing powered exoskeleton for people with mobility impairments. It is a direct peer pursuing the same self-balancing, hands-free lower-body exoskeleton use case that Project MARCH has been iterating toward since MARCH VIII.
• Parker Hannifin (Indego): Parker Hannifin's Indego is a modular powered exoskeleton for spinal cord injury rehabilitation and personal use. It competes in the same commercial lower-body exoskeleton space as ReWalk and Ekso, making it a direct commercial peer.
• ReWalk Robotics: ReWalk is a commercial developer of FDA-cleared powered exoskeletons for people with spinal cord injury. It is the closest direct commercial peer to Project MARCH, building on similar lower-body powered exoskeleton technology for the same paraplegic user population.

Emerging players

• Japet: Japet is a French medical device startup building powered exoskeletons for low-back pain and mobility assistance. It intersects with Project MARCH's broader rehabilitation robotics category, though its primary clinical focus differs.
• Bionic Yantra: Bionic Yantra is an early-stage Indian developer of lower-limb exoskeletons for mobility-impaired users. It overlaps with Project MARCH's technology category (powered lower-limb exoskeletons) but at a smaller, earlier commercial stage.
• Astrek Innovations: Astrek Innovations is an Indian university spin-off developing lower-limb exoskeleton technology. It shares Project MARCH's university-rooted R&D background and target use case of mobility assistance, making it an emerging peer in the same category.

Others

• ETH Zürich Cybathlon: ETH Zürich's Cybathlon is the global para-sport competition (including the Powered Exoskeleton Race) in which Project MARCH competes. It is not a peer product company but is the principal external performance benchmark and ecosystem event for the team's annual exoskeleton development.

Broad incumbents

• Ottobock: Ottobock is a global incumbent in prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeletons (it acquired SuitX). It is a broad incumbent that operates across the wider orthopedic and rehabilitation device category in which Project MARCH's exoskeleton competes.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=jSLjUgdc0rY
• Xx.com/projectmarch_
• Facebookfacebook.com/projectmarch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/project-march

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Project MARCH