The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

VA extends support of ReWalk Robotics powered exoskeletons

By Steve Crowe | July 24, 2018

ReWalk Robotics exoskeleton

Paralyzed veteran Gene Laureano walking with the help of a ReWalk Robotics exoskeleton. (Credit: ReWalk Robotics)

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in June 2018 revised its national policy for ReWalk Robotics‘ powered exoskeleton for qualifying veterans with spinal cord injuries (SCI). The revision expands access to training program locations among the VA network and private rehabilitation centers throughout the VA’s Veterans Choice Program. The updated policy also includes further guidance on the evaluation process.

An update to the original standard operating policy (SOP) issued by the VA in December 2015, the new evaluation process will have all veterans flow through one of 24 designated SCI VA centers (SCI/D). Once a veteran is determined to be qualified for training and procurement of an exoskeleton, the individual may be allowed to pursue training in one of three ways:

  • At the applicable SCI/D hub center
  • At a qualified VA hospital designated by the VA’s “hub & spoke” program
  • At a qualified private rehab center through the VA’s Veterans Choice Program

The policy also says: “If a Veteran with SCI/D is unable or unwilling to travel to a VA Exoskeleton Training Center for training, case-by-case consideration will be given to enable the Veteran and companion to receive training at a VA facility that does not have an exoskeleton training program or at a non-VA facility.”

This is welcomed news for ReWalk Robotics, which recently expressed frustration with the VA. During its Q4 and Year-End 2017 financial results earnings call, ReWalk Robotics said the “VA continues to be slow to support veterans” who could benefit from an exoskeleton. At that time, ReWalk Robotics said only 16 veterans had been covered by insurance for its personal exoskeleton, with four more in progress.

“This revised policy is a great step forward that will potentially help many paralyzed veterans who simply seek to walk again,” said ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski. “These significant SOP updates mean that numerous injured veterans who have expressed an interest in obtaining a ReWalk, but have not been able to participate due to a lack of availability in their area, can now have access. We are pleased to see the VA build upon the SOP, taking into account the department’s own extensive research and its ongoing national trial.”

As a result of the revised policy, there are now 142 ReWalk certified private and VA SCI/D training centers across the US. The network of VA SCI/D spoke sites may now be eligible to conduct training and provide additional opportunity.

ReWalk Robotics is also expanding clinical trials of its ReStore soft exoskeleton, which expected to launch in the first half of 2019 in Europe and the US. Designed to assist stroke patients, the ReWalk Robotics ReStore is used as a gait therapy solution, providing coordinated plantarflexion and dorsiflexion assistance to a patient’s foot and ankle. ReWalk plans to price the system at under $20,000.

ReWalk Robotics Restore

ReWalk Robotics Restore soft exoskeleton. (Credit: ReWalk Robotics)

ReWalk Robotics shares down 25%

Despite the good news, ReWalk Robotics’ share price dropped 25% yesterday after it revealed a financing delay and missed the consensus with its preliminary second-quarter revenues. ReWalk said it expects to post sales of $1.8 million for the three months ended June 30, which would come in under the $2.0 million expectation on Wall Street.

ReWalk also said the second, $10 million tranche of the $20 million private placement it inked with Timwell Investment back in March missed its July 1 deadline. That tranche was contingent on the formation of a joint venture with Timwell in China, with license and supply agreements inked no later than 20 days after the ink on the JV dries.

Although the parties are working on closing the second tranche and ReWalk “expects to be able to move forward with the closing,” it hasn’t due to “the different jurisdictions involved and certain technical and administrative delays.”

Investors reacted to the news by sending RWLK shares down some -25.4% to 93¢ apiece yesterday in mid-afternoon trading.

Brad Perriello, co-founder & executive editor of sister publication MassDevice, contributed to this report.

About The Author

Steve Crowe

Steve Crowe is Executive Editor, Robotics, WTWH Media, and chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo and RoboBusiness. He is also co-host of The Robot Report Podcast, the top-rated podcast for the robotics industry. He joined WTWH Media in January 2018 after spending four-plus years as Managing Editor of Robotics Trends Media. He can be reached at scrowe@wtwhmedia.com

Comments

  1. carmen Crews says

    September 5, 2019 at 11:37 pm

    It is amazing. Will my , a 46 year old son, Army Veteran Raphael Crews ,who suffered a traumatic brain injury 26 years ago qualify. He can walk using a walker, needs somebody to hold the gait belt, otherwise he looses his balance and falls. Has muscle tone on his R arm and L leg. The VA has been sending a physical therapist to my house, there is improvement , but cannot walk completely by himself. He sees Dr.Michael Gorniowsky at the VA Clinic , in Panama City Beach.
    Thank you.

    1802 E 12th St.
    Lynn Haven, FL 32444 cell 850.849.2449

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

A person wearing a Wandercraft exoskeleton catching a ball thrown to them by a woman in white.
Wandercraft raises $75M to scale exoskeletons, humanoids
hero image of the Calvin humanoid robot from wandercraft.
Wandercraft unveils Calvin, new industrial humanoid, and Renault partnership
Exia can help production-line workers avoid repetitive stress, as shown here on a production line.
German Bionic unveils Exia AI-augmented industrial exoskeleton
A man walking down a crosswalk wearing the Ekso personal exoskeleton with a woman walking beside him. The man is also using crutches to stay steady.
NVIDIA accepts Ekso Bionics into its Connect program

RBR50 Innovation Awards

“rr
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Robotics Professionals.
The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Episode of The Robot Report Podcast

Automated Warehouse Research Reports

Sponsored Content

  • Sager Electronics and its partners, logos shown here, will exhibit at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo. Sager Electronics to exhibit at the Robotics Summit & Expo
  • The Shift in Robotics: How Visual Perception is Separating Winners from the Pack
  • An AutoStore automated storage and retrieval grid. Webinar to provide automated storage and retrieval adoption advice
  • Smaller, tougher devices for evolving demands
  • Modular motors and gearboxes make product development simple
The Robot Report
  • Automated Warehouse
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe