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.