THG News · Smart Wearables

Lifeward and Ottobock Care Launch Pilot to Widen US Access to ReWalk 7 Exoskeleton

· Updated

Lifeward, the Nasdaq-listed maker of the ReWalk exoskeleton, announced on August 5, 2026 a pilot program with Ottobock Care intended to expand access to the ReWalk 7 Personal Exoskeleton across the United States, according to a company press release.

The pilot will run for six months, Lifeward said. Ottobock Care, an orthotics and prosthetics patient care organization that is part of the Ottobock family of companies, operates more than 50 patient care clinics nationwide, according to the release. Lifeward said the pilot is designed to give more patients access to the device, which is used by people with spinal cord injury.

How the pilot works

According to Lifeward, the partners plan to use the six months to:

Lifeward said Ottobock Care's clinics are staffed by certified prosthetist-orthotists, clinical liaisons, patient care coordinators and technical specialists.

"Working with Ottobock Care represents an important step in our strategy to make ReWalk available to more people through highly experienced patient care organizations," Lifeward President and CEO Mark Grant said in the release.

Kevin Heidenreich, head of patient services at Ottobock Care, said: "ReWalk 7 is a compelling addition to the advanced mobility solutions we provide our patients. This pilot gives us the opportunity to deliver cutting-edge technologies alongside exceptional clinical care to promote neuromobility access."

Distribution through clinics

The pilot is a distribution arrangement rather than a new device. The activities Lifeward listed, from awareness among rehabilitation centers to evaluation, training and follow-up, are the clinical and reimbursement steps that sit between a powered exoskeleton and a home user.

Lifeward said the pilot combines its exoskeleton technology with Ottobock Care's clinical infrastructure. The release named rehabilitation hospitals and spinal cord injury centers as the main audiences the partners plan to reach during the pilot.

About the companies

Lifeward describes itself as a diversified biomedical innovation company, according to the release. Its neurorehabilitation portfolio includes ReWalk, AlterG, MyoCycle and ReStore, and it is also developing a Protein Oral Delivery platform, the company said.

Ottobock Care has operated for more than 100 years as part of the Ottobock family of companies, according to the release.

Lifeward trades on Nasdaq under the ticker LFWD, according to the release. The company said the pilot's goal is to enable greater patient access to ReWalk 7 through an experienced patient care organization.

Sources