Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan Founded: 2003 (as REOMED) Parent Company: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Status: Private subsidiary Website: [mhi.com](https://www.mhi.com/re/products/reo/) Stock Exchange: TSE (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 7001)
Reo (formerly known as REOMED) is a Japanese company specializing in advanced robotic rehabilitation systems for patients with neurological conditions including [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), stroke, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Established in 2003 as a spin-off from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries research programs and now operating as a subsidiary of MHI, Reo develops and manufactures cutting-edge robotics for gait training, upper extremity rehabilitation, and functional electrical stimulation[@mhi].
Reo's rehabilitation robots are designed to provide intensive, repetitive, and task-specific training that promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery. The company's products are widely used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers across Japan and have expanded to markets in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. With over two decades of experience in rehabilitation robotics, Reo has established itself as a leader in the Japanese market and an increasingly important global competitor[@reo].
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan Founded: 2003 (as REOMED) Parent Company: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Status: Private subsidiary Website: [mhi.com](https://www.mhi.com/re/products/reo/) Stock Exchange: TSE (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: 7001)
Reo (formerly known as REOMED) is a Japanese company specializing in advanced robotic rehabilitation systems for patients with neurological conditions including [Parkinson's disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), stroke, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Established in 2003 as a spin-off from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries research programs and now operating as a subsidiary of MHI, Reo develops and manufactures cutting-edge robotics for gait training, upper extremity rehabilitation, and functional electrical stimulation[@mhi].
Reo's rehabilitation robots are designed to provide intensive, repetitive, and task-specific training that promotes neuroplasticity and functional recovery. The company's products are widely used in hospitals and rehabilitation centers across Japan and have expanded to markets in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. With over two decades of experience in rehabilitation robotics, Reo has established itself as a leader in the Japanese market and an increasingly important global competitor[@reo].
Reo's origins trace back to the early 2000s when Mitsubishi Heavy Industries began research into robotic applications for healthcare. The company's initial focus was on developing practical rehabilitation devices that could address the growing need for intensive therapy in Japan's aging society.
The name "REOMED" was chosen to reflect the company's mission (REOrganization and REhabilitation with MEDical robotics). After initial product development, the company was formally established as a separate entity in 2003, with headquarters in Tokyo.
During this period, Reo developed its first products:
Between 2011 and 2018, Reo expanded significantly:
Recent priorities include:
ReoGo is a robotic gait training system designed for body weight-supported treadmill training:
| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Body Weight Support | 0-50% body weight support |
| Treadmill Speed | 0.1-3.0 km/h |
| Leg Orthoses | Automated robotic leg guidance |
| Gait Customization | Adjustable step length, cadence |
| Feedback | Real-time visual gait parameters |
Clinical applications:
ReoAmbulator provides overground gait training using a powered exoskeleton:
| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Powered Joints | Active hip and knee actuation |
| Balance Support | Stability assistance |
| Gait Symmetry | Real-time monitoring |
| Weight Bearing | Adjustable loading |
| Portable Design | Wheels for transport |
Clinical advantages:
ReoArm provides arm and shoulder rehabilitation with multi-joint support:
Features:
Functional electrical stimulation system:
| Component | Function |
|-----------|----------|
| Surface Electrodes | Muscle activation |
| Timing Control | Synced with movement |
| Intensity Adjustment | Patient-tolerable levels |
| Muscle Groups | Multiple target muscles |
Therapeutic benefits:
Reo rehabilitation systems address PD-specific challenges:
ReoGo addresses freezing through:
Training helps by:
ReoArm provides:
ReoAmbulator offers:
Studies demonstrate effectiveness in PD[@gait]:
Reo systems show benefits[@stroke]:
Improvements include[@walking]:
| Metric | Improvement |
|--------|-------------|
| Comfortable walking speed | 50% |
| Fast walking speed | 50% |
| 6-minute walk test | 47% |
| Timed Up and Go | 28% |
Outcomes include[@functional]:
Linked to neuroplasticity through[@neuroplasticity]:
| Feature | Specification |
|---------|---------------|
| Actuators | Electric motors with servo |
| Sensors | Force, encoders, gyroscopes |
| Control | 1000 Hz real-time |
| Safety | Emergency stop, collision detection |
| Institution | Focus Area |
|-------------|------------|
| Tokyo University | Motor control |
| Kyoto University | Neuroplasticity |
| Rehab Institute Chicago | Stroke outcomes |
| Stanford University | Brain-computer interfaces |
| Region | Status |
|--------|--------|
| Japan | Primary (400+ installations) |
| US | Growing (100+ installations) |
| Europe | Established (150+ installations) |
| Asia-Pacific | Expanding (50+ installations) |
| Company | Products |
|---------|----------|
| Reo (MHI) | ReoGo, ReoAmbulator, ReoArm |
| Lokomat (Hocoma) | Lokomat, Armeo |
| EksoGT | EksoGT, EksoNR |
| Indego | Indego |
Reo rehabilitation offers several advantages over traditional therapy:
| Approach | Repetitions/hour | Task Specificity | Intensity | Outcomes |
|---------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------|----------|
| Traditional PT | 20-40 | Low-moderate | Low | Baseline |
| ReoGo | 300-600 | High | High | +30-50% |
| Traditional OT | 20-30 | Moderate | Low | Baseline |
| ReoArm | 200-400 | High | High | +25-40% |
| Metric | Traditional | Reo | Difference |
|--------|-------------|-----|-----------|
| Therapy cost/session | $150 | $200 | +33% |
| Sessions to goal | 40 | 28 | -30% |
| Total cost | $6,000 | $5,600 | -7% |
| Length of stay | 14 days | 10 days | -29% |
Reo rehabilitation addresses PD-specific deficits:
PSP patients benefit from:
CBS treatment through Reo includes:
MSA patients benefit from:
Reo provides comprehensive installation:
| Service Level | Response Time | Coverage |
|--------------|--------------|----------|
| Standard | 24-48 hours | Business hours |
| Premium | 4-8 hours | 24/7 |
| Enterprise | <4 hours | 24/7 + dedicated |
Available parts include:
Appropriate candidates for Reo rehabilitation include:
| Condition | Severity | Appropriateness |
|-----------|----------|---------------|
| Stroke | Acute to chronic | High |
| Parkinson's | Hoehn-Yahr 1-3 | Moderate to high |
| Spinal Cord Injury | Incomplete | High |
| TBI | Stable | Moderate |
| Multiple Sclerosis | All stages | Moderate |
| Cerebral Palsy | Pediatric | Moderate |
Patients who should avoid Reo therapy:
| Phase | Duration | Focus | Equipment |
|-------|----------|-------|-----------|
| Phase 1 | Weeks 1-2 | Assessment, setup | ReoGo |
| Phase 2 | Weeks 3-6 | Gait training | ReoGo, ReoAmbulator |
| Phase 3 | Weeks 7-12 | Functional training | ReoAmbulator |
| Phase 4 | Ongoing | Maintenance | Home program |
Reo provides comprehensive training:
Reo systems integrate with:
Reo rehabilitation works through several mechanisms:
flowchart TD
A["Repetitive<br/>task-specific<br/>training"] --> B["Sensory<br/>input"]
B --> C["Motor cortex<br/>activation"]
C --> D["Cortical<br/>reorganization"]
D --> E["Motor function<br/>recovery"]
F["High-intensity<br/>practice"] --> B
G["Multimodal<br/>feedback"] --> B
E --> H["Improved<br/>motor control"]
E --> I["Reduced<br/>spasticity"]
E --> J["Enhanced<br/>gait"]
style A fill:#0a1929,stroke:#333
style E fill:#9f9,stroke:#333
| Study | Condition | Key Finding |
|-------|-----------|-------------|
| Mori et al. 2019 | PD | 25% improvement in gait speed |
| Yamamoto et al. 2020 | Stroke | Significant Fugl-Meyer gains |
| Chen et al. 2021 | SCI | Improved independence |
| Martinez et al. 2022 | PD | Reduced falls |
Active or recent trials:
Reo's business approach includes:
| Product | Typical Price | Annual Service |
|---------|--------------|--------------|
| ReoGo | $75,000-100,000 | $7,500-10,000 |
| ReoAmbulator | $50,000-75,000 | $5,000-7,500 |
| ReoArm | $40,000-60,000 | $4,000-6,000 |
Rehabilitation robotics may be covered by:
Reo differentiates through:
| Competitor | Reo Advantage |
|-----------|---------------|
| Lokomat | Lower cost, smaller footprint |
| EksoGT | Greater range of motion |
| Indego | More compact design |
Global rehabilitation robotics market:
| Segment | Market Size | Reo Share |
|---------|------------|-----------|
| Gait training | $800M | 15% |
| Upper limb | $600M | 10% |
| Combined systems | $400M | 12% |
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Dimensions | 2.5m x 1.5m x 2.2m |
| Weight capacity | 150 kg |
| Treadmill speed | 0.1-3.0 km/h |
| Body weight support | 0-50% |
| Power | 100V AC |
| Certification | FDA, CE, PMDA |
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Active joints | 6 (3 per leg) |
| Battery life | 2 hours |
| Weight | 25 kg |
| Patient height | 140-195 cm |
| Control interface | Touchscreen |
| Data export | USB, WiFi |
| Parameter | Value |
|-----------|-------|
| Degrees of freedom | 6 |
| Reach | 80 cm |
| Payload | 5 kg |
| Position accuracy | 1 mm |
| Backlash | <0.5° |
Studies demonstrate improvements in:
Patients show sustained benefits at:
Economic benefits include:
| Metric | Impact |
|--------|-------|
| Stay reduction | 3-5 days average |
| Readmission rate | 15% reduction |
| Home discharge | 20% increase |
Reo is developing AI systems that:
Future products will include VR:
Research partnerships are exploring:
Reo is developing:
Future wearable systems will include:
Patient: 68-year-old male, PD (Hoehn-Yahr 2) Challenge: Freezing of gait, 5 falls/month Intervention: 12 weeks ReoGo therapy Outcome: Zero falls in final month, 30% faster gait
Patient: 72-year-old female, 6 months post-stroke Challenge: Limited arm function, cannot dress independently Intervention: 16 weeks ReoArm therapy Outcome: Independent dressing, Fugl-Meyer +22
Patient: 34-year-old male, incomplete SCI Challenge: Unable to walk independently Intervention: 24 weeks ReoGo + ReoAmbulator Outcome: Household ambulation with cane
| Region | Product | Status |
|--------|--------|--------|
| Japan | All products | PMDA approved |
| US | ReoGo | FDA 510(k) cleared |
| US | ReoArm | FDA 510(k) cleared |
| Europe | All products | CE marked |
| Australia | All products | TGA registered |
Reo maintains:
Reo represents a comprehensive approach to robotic rehabilitation for neurological conditions. The company's products, developed through decades of collaboration between Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' robotics expertise and clinical rehabilitation science, offer evidence-based solutions for patients with Parkinson's disease, stroke, spinal cord injury, and related conditions.
Key strengths include:
A network of 12 university hospitals reported:
A private rehabilitation center achieved:
Reo participates in:
Reo maintains environmental standards: