The global haptic feedback surgical environment market size was worth USD 26.12 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach an expected value of USD 88.82 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 14.6% during the forecast period (2023–2031).
The haptic "haptikos" is a Greek word meaning "sense of touch" or the sensation a human feels upon touching an object. In a technical definition, haptic technology refers to the sense of touch through feedback technology via interaction with computer tools. Computers in force, motion, or vibration generally provide feedback. The haptic feedback enables an enhanced user experience in cases of computer-simulated situations.
Haptic technology is the combination of both the machine part and the human part. Primarily, machine technology consists of computers, sensors, real-time algorithms, actuators, end effectors, and application program interfaces, wherein the computer is the brain that operates the entire system and sends suitable commands to the human part through the end effectors. Factors such as the increasing number of start-up players, translation/spin-off of research, and academic institutions into commercial companies are some factors driving the market's growth.
Growing Adoption of Haptic Technology in Surgical Environment
The adoption of haptic technology among different end-use verticals, including automotive, transportation, consumer, commercial and industrial, and healthcare, has witnessed significant growth over the past five or six years as this technology offers several additional advantages. The use of haptic technology for medical training involves the integration of haptic feedback signals into virtual reality (VR) simulators, offering the user a feel of sensation (tactile), audio, and visual, which can enhance the user's training or surgical performance and accuracy. The haptic-enabled devices also allow users to evaluate the skillset required for clinical purposes.
The integration of haptic technology into the surgical instruments allows a better experience for a surgeon to go deeper into the patient's body to access the tissue structure as compared with the use of conventional surgical instruments. Moreover, haptic technology simulates resistance and relaxation during surgical procedures for a better tactile sensational experience. When haptic technology is integrated into a robotic arm of a robotic-assisted surgical system (RAS), it acts as an external limb of a surgeon as the robotic arm senses the strength of the instruments imparted on tissue structure and provides a similar reaction in the form of the haptic feedback signal to the surgeon. As technology advances, implementing artificial tactile feedback mechanisms will be considered an intraoperative diagnostic tool in the upcoming years. This would result in increasing the precision of diagnostic procedures.
Advancement in Raw Materials for Haptic Technology
Several research and development activities are ongoing for the advancing technologies in the materials used in haptic technology. These research activities aim to find and develop a robust material that can be sensitive and flexible. Light can easily sense the tactile force signal and provides similar feedback to the user in the virtual environment. The activities can enhance a user's performance compared to performing the task in a conventional setting.
Tactile sensing devices offer precise and accurate haptic feedback signals and bilateral haptic interactions. They collect exact tactile information from the object and the surrounding environment. Soft and stretchable tactile sensors have been developed from emerging and new materials such as conducting polymers, liquid metals, ionic conductors, carbon nanotubes, graphene, metal nanowires, and metal nanoparticles. Active materials and actuation mechanisms have been developed to offer tactile and force feedback signals. Such benefits drive segment growth.
Adoption of Vibrotactile Feedback Mechanism in Medical Simulators
Today, haptic devices primarily exhibit force feedback mechanisms; however, vibrotactile feedback will be integrated into medical simulators. In the next five years, eccentric rotating masses (ERMs) and linear resonant actuators (LRAs) will be designed compactly and cost-effectively. This will result in increased adoption of the vibrotactile feedback mechanism compared to the force feedback mechanism.
The use of a vibrotactile feedback mechanism restricts the medical devices market. For instance, in minimally invasive surgical robotic systems, ERMs and LRAs generate electromagnetic (EM) waves that may interfere with the other medical instruments. This issue can be simplified by designing a device that can trap the generated EM waves. Implementing a vibrotactile feedback mechanism would be a tremendous advantage for medical training simulator applications: Also, a study showed that when a surgeon was trained on a simulator integrated with both force and vibrotactile mechanism, the simulator assisted the user in enhancing their skillsets. For instance, when a user enters an undesired zone into the patient's body during the procedure, the system provides vibrotactile feedback to alert the user by increasing the intensity of the vibration. However, in force feedback, the user only gets input when the user is on the edge of the undesired zone. Thus, this increases the risk during the surgical procedure.
Increasing R&D Activities for Wearable Haptic Feedback Devices
The haptic technology used in the medical field utilizes a force feedback mechanism. This haptic device exhibiting force feedback is used primarily in surgical robotics and medical simulators. Also, many manufacturers are currently working on tactile feedback technology to integrate it into medical devices. In the next five to seven years, there is a high possibility that the healthcare market will witness the use of wearable haptic devices during complex and long-distance teleoperated surgical procedures. The wearable haptic devices can enhance realism for the user in a virtual environment, which would improve performance and accuracy during the surgical procedure or training.
Manufacturers such as HaptX, Inc., FundamentalVR, and CyberGlove Systems LLC are designing and developing wearable haptic devices with integrated force and tactile feedback technologies. Some of the wearable haptic technology is FundamentalVR is working on immersive technology (XR), haptics, and machine learning. The company has a patent on Haptic Intelligence Engine (HIE), a unique software modeling system that can deliver high-fidelity physical interaction. CyberGlove Systems LLC has made several models of wearable haptic devices which integrate force feedback and tactile feedback mechanisms. The company has CyberTouch (vibrotactile feedback) and CyberForce with CyberGrasp (vibrotactile feedback with force feedback). The glove features vibrotactile stimulators on each finger and palm and is programmed to vary the strength of touch sensation.
| Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 14.6% |
| Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 26.12 Million |
| Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 88.82 Million |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
The global market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Rest-of-the-World (RoW).
North America is the highest revenue contributor and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period. The North American medical device market is the early adopter of the latest technologies. The region has become a technological hub for companies offering advanced solutions to the healthcare market. With all the major companies in the market, this region acquires a significant share of the global market. The region also offers potential growth opportunities to the companies, owing to the increased adoption of technologies such as surgical robotics across various healthcare industry verticals.
Europe is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period. This region includes EU5 countries, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Turkey, Russia, and Rest-of-Europe. Collaborations between key industry players and governments have proven beneficial for developing haptic feedback devices in the European region. The majority of the haptic device manufacturers that cater to the healthcare domain are situated in the Europe region; for example, Haption S.A. (France), Force Dimension Technologies SARL (Switzerland), and Forsslund Systems AB (Sweden).
Asia-Pacific is the third largest region. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region includes Australia and New Zealand, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, among other countries. The Asia-Pacific medical devices market is still emerging, but several significant factors are propelling the market's growth. A consistent rise in per capita income, a vast population base, and technological advancements in the surgical robotic and simulator platforms are primary factors contributing to tremendous growth opportunities in the region. Additionally, extensive demand for time-consuming surgical procedures and advanced training modules for medical trainers are key factors driving the market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
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The global market is segmented by application and region.
By application, the global market is divided into robotic surgical systems and medical simulators.
The surgical robotic systems segment dominates the global market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% during the forecast period. Robotic or robotic-assisted surgical procedures offer high precision, control, and flexibility to conduct more complex procedures than conventional techniques. Surgical robotics techniques are often associated with minimally invasive surgical procedures. The market for surgical robotics is expected to witness tremendous growth over the forecast period, primarily due to the increasing prevalence and incidence rate of chronic disorders, elevating global population coupled with the geriatric population, favorable reimbursement policies in developed economies, and public initiatives and funding to develop advanced robotic technologies.
The medical simulators segment is the second largest. The growing emphasis on patient safety is driving the need to alleviate the dependency on surgical training over the apprentice-mentor relationship and operating room-based training. A dynamic shift in surgical education from the traditional apprenticeship to a competency-based model is required to address the burden of surgical errors. Medical simulation systems are one of the innovative technologies which hold immense potential to revolutionize surgical educational practices. The recent advancements in computational technologies, augmented by the immeasurable accumulation of knowledge of the human body, have made disruptive technologies such as VR simulation systems a reality. It has been clinically proven that substantial hours of VR simulation training would significantly enhance the psychomotor skills of the trainee. In addition to strengthening surgical skills, VR simulators provide the trainees with a standardized, safe practice for training, thus alleviating the risk of patient safety associated with operating room-based training.
