Exoskeletons: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021

Transcription

1 Exoskeletons: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021 Mountains of Opportunity Picture by Susan Eustis

2 Lexington, Massachusetts

3 CHECK OUT THESE KEY TOPICS Exoskeletons: Wearable Robots Bring New Functionality to the Rehabilitation Markets Exoskeleton Spinal Cord Injury Stroke Protocols Active Prostheses Exoskeletons Robotic Technologies Leverage Neuroplasticity Wearable Robotics Strengthen The Upper Extremity Wearable Robots Strengthen The Lower Extremity Hand Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Automation Recovery After Hip Injury Wrist Rehabilitation Stroke Rehabilitation Exoskeleton Software Hip Rehabilitation Anti-Gravity Treadmill Gait Training Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Exoskeleton s: Deliver Higher Quality Rehabilitation, Provide Growth Strategy for Clinical Facilities Exoskeletons: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, LEXINGTON, Massachusetts (April 2, 2015) WinterGreen Research announces that it has published a new study Exoskeleton : Market Shares, Strategy, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to The 2015 study has 254 pages, 102 tables and figures. Worldwide markets are poised to achieve significant growth as the exoskeletons are used inside rehabilitation treatment centers and at home to provide stability for paraplegics and people who need gait training. Ultimately exoskeletons will be used for the rehabilitation of all patients with serious physical injuries or physical dysfunction. Exoskeleton robots support walking for previously wheel chair bound patients: They function as wearable robots that bring new functionality to the rehabilitation markets. Exoskeleton robots promote upright walking and relearning of lost functions in a patient needing physical therapy. Exoskeletons can play a significant role in this medical treatment process. Emerging markets promise to have dramatic and rapid growth. Exoskeletons deliver higher quality rehabilitation, provide growth strategy for clinical facilities. Relearning of lost functions in a patient depends on stimulation of desire to conquer the disability. The Exoskeleton can show patients progress and keep the progress occurring, encouraging patients to work on getting healthier. Independent functioning of patients depends on intensity of treatment, task-specific exercises, active initiation of movements and motivation and feedback. Exoskeleton can assist with these tasks in multiple ways. Creating a gaming aspect to the rehabilitation process has brought a significant improvement in systems.

4 As patients get stronger and more coordinated, a therapist can program the exoskeleton robot to let them bear more weight and move more freely in different directions, walking, kicking a ball, or even lunging to the side to catch one. The robot can follow the patient s lead as effortlessly as a ballroom dancer, its presence nearly undetectable until it senses the patient starting to drop and quickly stops a fall. In the later stages of physical therapy, the robot can nudge patients off balance to help them learn to recover. According to Susan Eustis, principal author of the team that developed the market research study, Exoskeleton robotic therapy stimulus of upper and lower limbs provides a way for people who cannot walk to be upright and move from a vertical position, a very exciting market development. Examples of the excellent motor recovery after stroke that can be achieved using an exoskeleton. Lower limb systems and exoskeleton systems provide wheelchair bound patients the ability to get out of a wheelchair The exoskeleton products that work are still emerging as commercial devices. All the products that are now commercially viable are positioned to achieve significant staying power in the market long term, providing those companies that offer them with a possibility for long term leadership position in the market. Rehabilitation robotic technologies developed in the areas of stroke rehabilitation and SCI represent therapeutic interventions with utility at varying points of the continuum of care. Exoskeletons are a related technology, but provide dramatic support for walking for people who simply cannot walk. Robotics has tremendous ability to reduce disability and lead to better outcomes for patients with paralysis due to traumatic injury. With the use of exoskeletons, patient recovery of function is subtle or non existent, but getting patients able to walk and move around is of substantial benefit, People using exoskeleton robots are able to make continued progress in regaining functionality even years after an injury. It is a question of cost. The insurance will only pay for a small amount of exoskeleton rehabilitation. More marketing will have a tremendous effect in convincing people that they can achieve improvements even after years of effort. Rehabilitation robotics includes development of devices for assisting performance of sensorimotor functions. Devices help arm, hand, leg rehabilitation by supporting repetitive motion that builds neurological pathways to support use of the muscles. Development of different schemes for assisting therapeutic training is innovative. Assessment with sensorimotor performance helps patients move parts of the body that have been damaged.

5 Robotic exoskeleton rehabilitation equipment is mostly used in rehabilitation clinical facilities, though there is some effort to build a home market. There is a huge opportunity for launching a homecare equipment market if it is done through sports clubs rather than through clinical facilities. People expect insurance to pay for medical equipment but are willing to spend bundles on sports trainer equipment for the home. Exoskeleton can help stroke patients years after an event, so it makes a difference if someone keeps working to improve their functioning. Exoskeleton realistically extend the use of automated process for rehabilitation in the home. The availability of affordable devices that improve mobility is not likely to go unnoticed by the sports clubs and the baby boomer generation, now entering the over 65 age group and seeking to maintain lifestyle. As clinicians realize that more gains can be made by using Exoskeleton in the home, the pace of acquisitions will likely pick up. The exoskeleton robot market size at $16.5 million in 2014 is expected grow dramatically to reach $2.1 billion by Exoskeleton markets will be separate and additive to the robotic rehabilitation market. A separate exoskeleton market will create growth by the weight of excellent device capabilities. Market growth is a result of the effectiveness of robotic treatment of muscle difficulty. The usefulness of the Exoskeleton is increasing. Doing more sophisticated combinations of exercise have become more feasible as the technology evolves. Patients generally practice 1,000 varied movements per session. With the robots, more sessions are possible. WinterGreen Research is an independent research organization funded by the sale of market research studies all over the world and by the implementation of ROI models that are used to calculate the total cost of ownership of equipment, services, and software. The company has 35 distributors worldwide, including Global Information Info Shop, Market Research.com, Research and Markets, Electronics.CA, Bloomberg, and Thompson Financial. WinterGreen Research is positioned to help customers face challenges that define the modern enterprises. The increasingly global nature of science, technology and engineering is a reflection of the implementation of the globally integrated enterprise. Customers trust WinterGreen Research to work alongside them to ensure the success of the participation in a particular market segment. WinterGreen Research supports various market segment programs; provides trusted technical services to the marketing departments. It carries out accurate market share and forecast analysis services for a range of commercial and government customers globally. These are all vital market research support solutions requiring trust and integrity. Exoskeleton, Active Prostheses, Exoskeletons, Robotic Technologies Leverage Neuroplasticity, Wearable Robotics, Strengthen The Upper Extremity, Strengthen The Lower Extremity, Hand Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Automation, Recovery After Hip Injury, Wrist Rehabilitation, Stroke Rehabilitation, Exoskeleton Software, Hip Rehabilitation, Anti- Gravity Treadmill, Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation,

6 Companies Profiled Market Leaders Ekso Bionics ReWalk Market Participants AlterG Ekso Bionics Hocoma Parker Hannifin ReWalk Robotics RexBionics Sarcos University of Twente Catholic University of America Exoskeleton : Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, 2015 to 2021 Report Methodology This is the 631st report in a series of primary market research reports that provide forecasts in communications, telecommunications, the Internet, computer, software, telephone equipment, health equipment, and energy. Automated process and significant growth potential are priorities in topic selection. The project leaders take direct responsibility for writing and preparing each report. They have significant experience preparing industry studies. Forecasts are based on primary research and proprietary data bases. The primary research is conducted by talking to customers, distributors and companies. The survey data is not enough to make accurate assessment of market size, so WinterGreen Research looks at the value of shipments and the average price to achieve market assessments. Our track record in achieving accuracy is unsurpassed in the industry. We are known for being able to develop accurate market shares and projections. This is our specialty.

7 The analyst process is concentrated on getting good market numbers. This process involves looking at the markets from several different perspectives, including vendor shipments. The interview process is an essential aspect as well. We do have a lot of granular analysis of the different shipments by vendor in the study and addenda prepared after the study was published if that is appropriate. Forecasts reflect analysis of the market trends in the segment and related segments. Unit and dollar shipments are analyzed through consideration of dollar volume of each market participant in the segment. Installed base analysis and unit analysis is based on interviews and an information search. Market share analysis includes conversations with key customers of products, industry segment leaders, marketing directors, distributors, leading market participants, opinion leaders, and companies seeking to develop measurable market share. Over 200 in depth interviews are conducted for each report with a broad range of key participants and industry leaders in the market segment. We establish accurate market forecasts based on economic and market conditions as a base. Use input/output ratios, flow charts, and other economic methods to quantify data. Use in-house analysts who meet stringent quality standards. Interviewing key industry participants, experts and end-users is a central part of the study. Our research includes access to large proprietary databases. Literature search includes analysis of trade publications, government reports, and corporate literature. Findings and conclusions of this report are based on information gathered from industry sources, including manufacturers, distributors, partners, opinion leaders, and users. Interview data was combined with information gathered through an extensive review of internet and printed sources such as trade publications, trade associations, company literature, and online databases. The projections contained in this report are checked from top down and bottom up analysis to be sure there is congruence from that perspective. The base year for analysis and projection is With 2010 and several years prior to that as a baseline, market projections were developed for 2011 through These projections are based on a combination of a consensus among the opinion leader contacts interviewed combined with understanding of the key market drivers and their impact from a historical and analytical perspective. The analytical methodologies used to generate the market estimates are based on penetration analyses, similar market analyses, and delta calculations to supplement independent and dependent variable analysis. All analyses are displaying selected descriptions of products and services.

8 This research includes reference to an ROI model that is part of a series that provides IT systems financial planners access to information that supports analysis of all the numbers that impact management of a product launch or large and complex data center. The methodology used in the models relates to having a sophisticated analytical technique for understanding the impact of workload on processor consumption and cost. WinterGreen Research has looked at the metrics and independent research to develop assumptions that reflect the actual anticipated usage and cost of systems. Comparative analyses reflect the input of these values into models. The variables and assumptions provided in the market research study and the ROI models are based on extensive experience in providing research to large enterprise organizations and data centers. The ROI models have lists of servers from different manufacturers, Systems z models from IBM, and labor costs by category around the world. This information has been developed from WinterGreen research proprietary data bases constructed as a result of preparing market research studies that address the software, energy, healthcare, telecommunicatons, and hardware businesses. YOU MUST HAVE THIS STUDY Exoskeleton: Market Shares, Strategies, and Forecasts, Worldwide, Table of Contents Exoskeleton robotic devices automate process in a manner that significantly extends the time rehabilitation is useful, dramatically increasing the value of the rehabilitation. Advanced Exoskeleton technologies are associated with emerging rehabilitation systems that are used to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Technologies that make exoskeletons feasible are closely associated with new materials and smaller, lighter, more feature loaded electronics, software, and sensors. Exoskeleton Executive Summary The study is designed to give a comprehensive overview of the Exoskeleton device market segment. Research represents a selection from the mountains of data available of the most relevant and cogent

9 market materials, with selections made by the most senior analysts. Commentary on every aspect of the market from independent analysts creates an independent perspective in the evaluation of the market. In this manner the study presents a comprehensive overview of what is going on in this market, assisting managers with designing market strategies likely to succeed. Exoskeleton Table of Contents EXOSKELETON ROBOTS MARKET SHARES, MARKET STRATEGY, AND MARKET FORECASTS, 2015 TO EXOSKELETON EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 23 Exoskeleton Market Driving Forces 23 Exoskeletons as Rehabilitation Assistive Devices 24 Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robots Decrease the Cost of Recovery 26 Exoskeleton Market Shares 27 Medical Exoskeleton Market Forecasts EXOSKELETON MARKET DESCRIPTION AND MARKET DYNAMICS Market Growth Drivers For Exoskeletons Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Ekso Pulse System Electrical Stimulation Robotic Therapy Devices Partial Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Virtual Reality (including Wii-hab) Brain Stimulation Acupuncture Mental Practice Mirror Therapy Evidence-Based Treatment Protocols Traumatic Brain Injury Program Concussion Program Rehabilitation Physical Therapy Trends Robotic Exoskeleton Team Research Studies Exoskeleton Research in the Market For Use In Gait Training Running with Robots Use Of Video Game Technology In PT Telemedicine Growing Trend In The Physical Therapy Space Exoskeleton Market Definition Robotic Rehabilitation Devices Based On Automated Process Automated Process for Rehabilitation Robots Why Rehabilitation is Essential Rehabilitation Involves Relearning of Lost Functions Robotic Exoskeletons Empower Patient Rehabilitation Achievements Seizing the Robotics Opportunity Modular Self-Reconfiguring Robotic Systems Home Medical Exoskeletons Telemedicine and Domestic Robots Rehabilitation Robots Provide Intensive Training For Patients And Physical Relief For Therapists EXOSKELETON MARKET SHARES AND MARKET FORECASTS Exoskeleton Market Driving Forces Exoskeletons as Rehabilitation Assistive Devices Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robots Decrease the Cost of Recovery Exoskeleton Market Shares Medical Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Market Shares, Units Ekso Exoskeleton Market Share Unit Analysis Ekso Bionics Robotic Suit Helps Paralyzed Man Walk Again ReWalk Exoskeleton Suit Home Use 77

10 2.2.4 AlterG Bionic Leg Customer Base Hocoma Robotic Rehabilitation Homoca Helping Patients To Grasp The Initiative And Reach Towards Recovery Able-Bodied Exoskeletons Medical Exoskeleton Market Forecasts Medical Exoskeleton Robot Market Segments Medical Extremities, Stroke CPM, And Exoskeleton Robot Market Segments Market for Limited Mobility Devices Spinal Cord Injuries Rehabilitation Robot Market Forecasts Rehabilitation Robots Unit Shipments Rehabilitation Robots Market Penetration Forecasts Worldwide, Gait Training Sports Training Exoskeletons End-effectors Exoskeleton-Based Rehabilitation Mobility Training Level Of Distribution Disease Incidence and Prevalence Analysis Robotic Therapeutic Stroke Rehabilitation Aging Of The Population Disease Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of Hip Injuries Exoskeleton Prices Ekso Bionics Rehabilitation Robots Regional Analysis Ekso Bionics Regional Presence EXOSKELETON PRODUCTS Exoskeletons Muscle Memory Ekso Bionics Ekso Gait Training Exoskeleton Uses Ekso Bionics Rehabilitation Ekso Bionics Robotic Suit Helps Paralyzed Man Walk Again Ekso Go To Market Strategy Ekso Exoskeleton To Achieve Rehabilitation In The Home Rewalk ReWalk Exoskeleton Suit Home Use ReWalk Personal System ReWalk Rehabilitation Rex Bionics Berkley Robotics Laboratory Exoskeletons Berkley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory ExoHiker Berkley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory ExoClimber Berkeley Lower Extremity Exoskeleton (BLEEX) Berkley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory Exoskeleton Hocoma Products Hocoma ArmeoSpring Based On An Ergonomic Arm Exoskeleton Hocoma Armeo Spring Clinical Success Hocoma Armeo Functional Therapy Of The Upper Extremities Hocoma Armeo Spring - Functional Arm and Hand Therapy AlterG: PK100 PowerKnee AlterG Bionic Leg Alterg / Tibion Bionic Leg AlterG Bionic Leg Customer Base AlterG M AlterG M300 Robotic Rehabilitation Treadmill 169

11 3.8 Parker Hannifin Indego Catholic University of America Arm Therapy Robot ARMin III Catholic University of America Armin Iii Project Description: Catholic University of America HandSOME Hand Spring Operated Movement Enhancer Sarcos / Raytheon Raytheon XOS 2: Second Generation Exoskeleton Sarcos LC Acquires Raytheon Sarcos Unit of Raytheon DARPA Funded Exoskeleton The Springtail/XFV Exo-skeletor Flying Vehicle HEXORR: Hand EXOskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Mira Lopes Gait Rehabilitation Device Prototype of University of Twente LOPES with 8 Actuated Degrees of Freedom EXOSKELETON TECHNOLOGY Exoskeleton Medical Technology Robotic Actuator Energy Elastic Actuators Rehabilitation Robotic Risk Mitigation Exoskeleton Multi-Factor Solutions Biometallic Materials Titanium (Ti) and its Alloys Cognitive Science Artificial Muscle Regulations EXOSKELETON COMPANY PROFILES AlterG AlterG M300 Customers AlterG M AlterG Acquires Tibion Bionic Leg Ekso Bionics Ekso Exoskeletons for Medical and Wellness: Ekso Able-bodied Exoskeletons Ekso Bionics Holdings Ekso Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2014 Financial Results Ekso Bionics Seeks To Lead The Technological Revolutions Ekso Bionics HULC Technology Licensed to the Lockheed Martin Corporation Ekso Bionics Regional Presence Ekso Bionics Customers Hocoma Hocoma Revenue Parker Parker Revenue for Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter Sales Parker Hannifin Segment Results Fiscal 2015 Second Quarter ReWalk Robotics ReWalk Revenue ReWalk Year-End 2014 Financial Highlights RexBionics Sarcos Sarcos LC Acquires Raytheon Sarcos Unit University of Twente 248 ABOUT THE COMPANY 249 Research Methodology 250

12 List of Tables and Figures Table ES-1 26 Rehabilitation Robot Market Driving Forces 26 Figure ES-2 28 Exoskeleton Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, Figure ES-3 29 Medical Exoskeleton Robot Market Shipments Forecasts Dollars, Worldwide, Table Robotic Rehabilitation Devices Automated Process Benefits 52 Table Robotic Rehabilitation Devices Emerging Technologies 55 Table Robotic Rehabilitation Wearable Devices Benefits 56 Table Rehabilitation Involves Relearning Lost Function 58 Table Rehabilitation Lost Function Relearning Initiatives 59 Table Rehabilitation Robot Market Driving Forces 68 Figure Exoskeleton Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, Table Exoskeleton Market Shares, Dollars, Worldwide, Table Exoskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Market Shares, Dollars and Units, Worldwide, Table Hocoma Robotic Rehabilitation Used In Rehabilitation Medicine: 78 Figure Homoca Continuum of Rehabilitation 80 Figure Comparison of the Hocoma Armeo Products 81 Figure Medical Exoskeleton Robot Market Shipments Forecasts Dollars, Worldwide, Table Exoskeleton Robots: Dollars Shipments, Worldwide, Table Exoskeleton Robots: Units Shipments, Worldwide, Table Medical Exoskeleton Robot Market Segments, High End and Low End, Units and Dollars, Worldwide, Table Medical Rehabilitation and Exoskeleton Robot Market Segments: Extremities, Stroke CPM, and Exoskeletons, Dollars, Worldwide, Table Medical Rehabilitation Robot, Extremities, Stroke CPM, and Exoskeleton Market Segments, Percent, Worldwide, Table Spinal Cord Injury Causes, Worldwide, Figure Rehabilitation Robot Market Forecasts Dollars, Worldwide,

13 Table Rehabilitation Robots Market Forecasts, Dollars, Shipments, Worldwide, Figure Rehabilitation Robots: Units Shipments, Worldwide, Table Rehabilitation Robots: Units Shipments, Worldwide, Figure Rehabilitation Robots: Facility Market Penetration Forecasts, Units, Worldwide, Table Rehabilitation Facility Robot Market Penetration Forecasts Worldwide, Table Exoskeleton Market Penetration Forecasts Worldwide, High End Facilities, Small and Mid Size Rehabilitation Facilities, Table Exoskeleton Market Segments, Lower Extremities, Upper Extremities, Anti-Gravity High End, Anti-Gravity Low End, and Tools Worldwide, Table Rehabilitation Small and Mid-Size Facility Robot Market Penetration Forecasts Worldwide, Table Rehabilitation High End Facility Robot Market Penetration Forecasts, Worldwide, Table Rehabilitation Robot Categories 106 Table US Stroke Incidence Numbers 108 Table Physical Therapy Enhances Recovery After Hip Injury 111 Figure Rehabilitation Robots Regional Market Segments, Dollars, Table Rehabilitation Robots Regional Market Segments, Figure

14 Bionics Regional Presence Source: Bionics. 115 Figure Esko Technology 120 Figure Ekso Bionics Gait Training 122 Figure Ekso Bionics Gait Training Functions 123 Table Ekso Gait Training Exoskeleton Functions 124 Table Ekso Gait Training Exoskeleton Functions 125 Figure Ekso Bionics Step Support System 126 Table Ekso Bionics Operation Modes Ekso Bionics 128 Figure Figure Ekso Bionics Bionic Suit 130 Table Ekso GT Variable Assist to Physical Conditions 132 Figure ReWalk Robotics Exoskeleton Technology 137 Figure ReWalk Robotics Exoskeleton Wrist Technology 138 Figure ReWalk Controls Movement Using Subtle Changes In Center Of Gravity, Mimics The Natural Gait Pattern Of The Legs 139 Figure ReWalk Forward Tilt Of The Upper Body Is Sensed By The System, Which Triggers The First Step 141 Figure RexBionics Hands-Free, Robotic Walking Device 143 Figure

15 Berkley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory ExoHiker 145 Figure Berkley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory ExoClimber 147 Table Berkley Robotics and Human Engineering Laboratory Exoskeleton 148 Figure Hocoma Lokomat Pro 150 Table Hocoma Patient Rehabilitation Conditions Addressed 151 Table Hocoma Robotic Improvements to Rehabilitation 152 Table Hocoma Products 153 Table Hocoma Rehabilitation Functional Therapy 153 Figure Hocoma Armeo Power Robotic Arm Exoskeleton 156 Figure Clinical Example of Patients Using the Hocoma Armeo Spring 158 Figure AlterG: PK100 PowerKnee 159 Figure AlterG Bionic Neurologic And Orthopedic Therapy Leg 161 Figure Tibion Bionic Leg 163 Figure AlterG M300 Robotic Rehabilitation Treadmill 166 Figure AlterG M300 Robotic Leg, Knee and Thigh Rehabilitation Treadmill 167 Table AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill Precise Unweighting Technology Patient Rehabilitation Functions 168 Figure AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill Heals patient Faster 170 Figure Parket Hannifin Indego Exoskeleton 172 Figure ARMin III Robot For Movement Therapy Following Stroke 173 Figure Sarcos Exoskeleton Developed by Raytheon 176 Figure Raytheon XOS Exoframe 177 Figure Raytheon XOS Exoskeleton 178 Figure Raytheon XOS 2: Second Generation Exoskeleton 179 Figure Sarcos Wear Exoskeleton Timeline 181 Figure Raytheon Tethered Exoskeleton 183 Figure The Springtail/XFV Exo-skeletor Flying Vehicle 186 Table HEXORR: Hand EXOskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Technology Benefits 188

16 Table HEXORR: Hand EXOskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Technology Monitoring 189 Table HEXORR: Hand EXOskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Treatment Benefits 190 Table HEXORR: Hand EXOskeleton Rehabilitation Robot Technology Force and Motion Sensor Benefits 191 Figure Prototype of LOPES with 8 actuated Degrees of Freedom by Means Of Series Elastic Actuation 193 Table Exoskeleton System Concerns Addressed During System Design 200 Table Rehabilitation Robots Software Functions 206 Table AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmillsr Features 211 Built on differential air pressure technology 211 Table AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmillsr Target Markets 212 Table AlterG Product Positioning 213 Figure Selected US Regional AlterG M300 Customer CLusters 215 Figure AlterG / Tibion Bionic Leg 220 Figure Ekso Bionics Regional Presence 228 Table Hocoma Robotic Rehabilitation Used In Rehabilitation Medicine: 237 Table Hocoma Therapy Solutions Treatments 238

17 ABOUT THE COMPANY WinterGreen Research, research strategy relates to identifying market trends through reading and interviewing opinion leaders. By using analysis of published materials, interview material, private research, detailed research, social network materials, blogs, and electronic analytics, the market size, shares, and trends are identified. Analysis of the published materials and interviews permits WinterGreen Research senior analysts to learn a lot more about markets. Discovering, tracking, and thinking about market trends is a high priority at WinterGreen Research. As with all research, the value proposition for competitive analysis comes from intellectual input. WinterGreen Research, founded in 1985, provides strategic market assessments in telecommunications, communications equipment, health care, Software, Internet, Energy Generation, Energy Storage, Renewable energy, and advanced computer technology. Industry reports focus on opportunities that expand existing markets or develop major new markets. The reports access new product and service positioning strategies, new and evolving technologies, and technological impact on products, services, and markets. Innovation that drives markets is explored. Market shares are provided. Leading market participants are profiled, and their marketing strategies, acquisitions, and strategic alliances are discussed. The principals of WinterGreen Research have been involved in analysis and forecasting of international business opportunities in telecommunications and advanced computer technology markets for over 30 years. The studies provide primary analytical insight about the market participants. By publishing material relevant to the positioning of each company, readers can look at the basis for analysis. By providing descriptions of each major participant in the market, the reader is not dependent on analyst assumptions, the information backing the assumptions is provided, permitting readers to examine the basis for the conclusions. About The Principal Authors Ellen T. Curtiss, Technical Director, co-founder of WinterGreen Research, conducts strategic and market assessments in technology-based industries. Previously she was a member of the staff of Arthur D. Little, Inc., for 23 years, most recently as Vice President of Arthur D. Little Decision Resources, specializing in strategic planning and market development services. She is a graduate of Boston University and the Program for Management Development at Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. She is the author of recent studies on worldwide telecommunications markets, the top ten internet equipment companies, the top ten contract manufacturing companies, and the Top Ten Telecommunications market analysis and forecasts. Susan Eustis, President, co-founder of WinterGreen Research is a senior analyst. She has done research in communications and computer markets and applications. She holds several patents in microcomputing and parallel processing. She has the original patents in electronic voting machines where she was featured in People Magazine in She has new patent applications in format varying, mulitprocessing, and electronic voting. She is the author of recent studies of the Solar Renewable Energy, Wind Energy, Thin Film Batteries, Business Process Management marketing strategies, Internet equipment, biometrics, a study of Internet Equipment, Worldwide Telecommunications Equipment, Top Ten Telecommunications, Digital Loop Carrier, Web Hosting, Web Services, and Application Integration markets. Ms. Eustis is a graduate of Barnard College. Susan Eustis was named as top female executive of the year by Who s Who Worldwide in She was named page one of the top 100 Industry leaders in Who s Who Worldwide in 2013.