Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Economic Times
The Economic Times
Trending Desk

IIT Madras builds Rs 17,000 standing wheelchair, 75x cheaper than commercial models

A standing wheelchair that can cost about $200 (approximately 19,000) has been developed as a low-cost alternative to commercial models priced between $15,000 and $20,000(approximately 14-19 lakh). Designed by Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan and her team at R2D2 at IIT Madras, Arise uses a mechanical counterbalanced gas-spring system instead of batteries, electric motors and complex electronics to help wheelchair users move from sitting to standing.

The wheelchair was launched at IIT Madras Research Park on November 5, 2019, marking the first product from R2D2. Phoenix Medical Systems, a medical devices company founded and run by IIT Madras alumnus Sashi Kumar, is set to manufacture and market Arise.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.