Ekso vs Mako SmartRobotics
Side-by-side comparison of Ekso (Ekso Bionics) and Mako SmartRobotics (Stryker) — specs, pricing, Robo Index, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Optimized for Cleaning & Facilities buyers. Priority specs lifted to the top and marked with a target.
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- EksoUnited States
- Mako SmartRoboticsUnited States
Year First Available
- Ekso2010
- Mako SmartRobotics2006
Verified Deployments
- Ekso0 Deployments
- Mako SmartRobotics0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Ekso$130,000 USD
- Mako SmartRobotics$375,000–$1,250,000 USD
Availability Status
- EksoACTIVE
- Mako SmartRoboticsACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Max Speed
- Ekso0.5 m/s
- Mako SmartRobotics—
Autonomy Level
- Eksofully autonomous
- Mako SmartRobotics—
|  | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country | United States | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2010 | 2006 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $130,000 USD | $375,000–$1,250,000 USD |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Max Speed (values differ) | 0.5 m/s | — |
| Autonomy Level (values differ) | fully autonomous | — |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Battery / Shift Runtime, Payload Capacity, Reach, IP Rating
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | Ekso | Mako SmartRobotics |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $130,000 | $812,500 |
| Payback period | 31.2 mo | 195.0 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $120,000 | -$562,500 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +92% | -69% |
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Ekso and Mako SmartRobotics?
Ekso is made by Ekso Bionics, based in US. Mako SmartRobotics is made by Stryker, based in US.
When were Ekso and Mako SmartRobotics launched?
Ekso launched in 2010. Mako SmartRobotics launched in 2006.
How do Ekso and Mako SmartRobotics compare on the Robo Index?
Ekso grades AA on the Robo Index. Mako SmartRobotics grades BB. The Robo Index is a credibility grade (AAA … C) that blends commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Ekso and Mako SmartRobotics in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Surgical Medical on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What is the realistic total cost of ownership for Surgical Medical robots?
Hardware cost is one input. Surgical Medical TCO also includes integration, training, downtime, and end-of-life. Our breakdown: Surgical Robot TCO: Capital, Consumables, Training, and Per-Procedure Cost.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Ekso and Mako SmartRobotics?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: Surgical Robot Vendor Selection: Support Coverage, Software Upgrades, and Lifecycle.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
Surgical Robot TCO: Capital, Consumables, Training, and Per-Procedure Cost
8 min readSurgical & Medical Robots
Surgical Robot Vendor Selection: Support Coverage, Software Upgrades, and Lifecycle
9 min readSurgical & Medical Robots
Pilot to Scale: Case Volume Thresholds for Surgical Robot ROI
8 min readSurgical & Medical Robots
Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
Want to be notified when specs or pricing change for these robots? Drop your email.
Other comparisons
About this comparison
Ekso vs Mako SmartRobotics compares two robots in the surgical-medical category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Index is calculated.