India's First Indigenously Designed Standing Wheelchair Launched At IIT Madras

The TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development at IIT Madras launched India’s first “indigenously designed” standing wheelchair which can enable a person with a disability to stand independently.

The wheelchair was officially launched on Tuesday, November 5 at the IIT Madras Research Park in the presence of Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot along with other distinguished guests.

'Arise – A Standing Wheel Chair' was formally launched by Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Hon'ble Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, @iitm_respark today.

Here are the exclusive pics of 'Arise' launch event held at #IITMadras. @TCGEHLOT @TcGehlotOffice pic.twitter.com/DKTiW4IzV8

— IIT Madras (@iitmadras) November 5, 2019

Known as “Arise”, the apparatus was designed by the TTK Centre under the guidance of Prof Sujatha Srinivasan from the Mechanical Engineering department of the college, who also happens to be the head of the Research Centre. Such a wheelchair will make it easier for the disabled person to stand up independently and in a more controlled manner. According to the Managing Director of Phoenix Medical Systems, V Sashi Kumar,- the wheelchair will be sold at Rs 15,000.

The user’s arm will enable them to function the wheelchair in the desired manner. The wheelchair will also help avoid health issues that could arise by constantly using a conventional wheelchair. “Using the wheelchair all the time can give secondary health problems like lowered blood circulation sore body and pressure sores. One needs to stand at least three times a week,” Sujatha Srinivasan said to The Times of India. The wheelchairs are set to hit the markets soo and will be available at the same price as a conventional wheelchair.

Thaawarchand Gehlot also lauded the professors for the invention and said he has not seen such a wheelchair anywhere else. “In the last five years, I have seen a lot of modern technologies in India and abroad but have not seen such a good standing wheelchair anywhere in the world,” reported The News Minute. Gehlot also said that the government will provide assistance in making the wheelchairs accessible to the public and would also give financial help is needed.

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