On September 12, 2016, in a small coffee shop located in Nanshan, Shenzhen, three young entrepreneurs finalized their business plan. Just 11 days later, they officially became partners and founded Step Robot, a startup focused on developing exoskeleton technology for rehabilitation.
One year and two months later, on the day of Double Eleven, Step Robot unveiled its first exoskeleton robot designed specifically for hemiplegic patients—the BEAR-H1. The mission of this groundbreaking device is clear: to help individuals in wheelchairs stand up and walk again, offering them renewed mobility and independence.
When the company was founded, it had only three members—Chen Gong as CEO, Ye Jing as CTO, and Hu Feng as COO. Their office was a small space that could fit just six people, located within an incubator in the software industry base in Nanshan. Despite the modest beginnings, the team's vision was big.
Chen Gong, who graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University, pursued his Ph.D. at the National University of Singapore, focusing on exoskeleton robotics and flexible drive interaction technology. During his studies, he met Ye Jing, a postdoctoral researcher from the same lab. Ye Jing, who studied under Professor Kato Ichiro at Waseda University in Japan, shared similar research interests in exoskeleton technology.
The idea of starting a business had been in Chen Gong’s mind for over two years before the official launch of Step Robot. After completing his doctoral thesis, he collaborated with Ye Jing to develop exoskeleton robots. They traveled across China, evaluating several cities, and ultimately chose Shenzhen due to its strong industrial chain and manufacturing capabilities in the Pearl River Delta region.
After earning his Ph.D., Chen Gong also connected with Hu Feng, an experienced professional in automation and robotics with extensive background in operations and management. The trio quickly aligned on their entrepreneurial vision and registered the company. In April of this year, Step Robot secured angel funding led by Lenovo Venture Capital Group, propelling the company into rapid growth.
In the past year and two months, Step Robot has grown from a team of three to nearly 30 employees. Their office expanded from a small grid space to a large 1,000-square-meter facility. After three generations of product development, the team refined the BEAR-H1, a mature and scalable exoskeleton robot now undergoing clinical trials in hospitals.
The BEAR-H1 is the world's first exoskeleton robot to use a flexible drive system, setting it apart from existing models from countries like the U.S. and Japan, which rely on rigid drives. This innovation allows for more natural human-robot interaction, improving stability, accuracy, and safety while reducing energy consumption.
Priced at about one-third of similar foreign products, the BEAR-H1 offers comparable functionality to international brands, making it a game-changer for patients who previously found such technology too expensive.
At a recent press conference, engineers demonstrated the BEAR-H1’s walking capabilities, successfully showcasing the full walking process. The robot features powered joints on both hips, knees, and ankles, along with an auxiliary hip rotation joint. It can accommodate users between 150-190 cm tall and weighing less than 85 kg. Its adjustable design and built-in gait monitoring system allow physical therapists or family members to track patient movement in real time via a touchscreen interface.
Equipped with advanced sensors, the BEAR-H1 can detect body movements and even predict user intentions through AI algorithms, adjusting accordingly to support natural gait patterns.
The high cost of exoskeleton robots has long been a barrier for many patients. Currently, top models like Rewalk from Israel and Cyberdyne from Japan are priced between 60-100 million yuan per unit, with some reaching up to 2.5 million yuan. Most users can only access these devices through leasing. In contrast, Step Robot aims to offer a more affordable solution without compromising on quality or performance.
Looking ahead, the exoskeleton robot market is expected to grow significantly. According to GrandView Research, the compound annual growth rate of exoskeleton robots is projected to be 47% over the next five years, far outpacing other medical robotics sectors. The global market is expected to reach 100 billion yuan in the future.
China, with its aging population and rising stroke incidence, is poised to become a major market for these devices. With over 10 million stroke patients in China and a growing demand for rehabilitation, the need for accessible and affordable solutions is urgent. Additionally, the shortage of trained physiotherapists exacerbates the challenge, highlighting the importance of robotic assistance.
Despite the promising outlook, the exoskeleton industry remains challenging. High technical barriers, significant R&D costs, and limited product experience still pose hurdles. Moreover, the medical sector’s strict regulations mean that no Chinese company has yet obtained CFDA approval for commercial exoskeletons, unlike companies in the U.S. and Israel.
Step Robot is determined to overcome these challenges. With a strong team, innovative technology, and a clear mission, the company is well-positioned to lead the next wave of exoskeleton development in China and beyond.
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