Sahayatha, a smart wheelchair developed by Sruthi Babu and produced by Dhanvantri Biomedical Pvt Ltd, is transforming lives of persons with disabilities across India by combining mobility with a hygienic, automated cleaning system.
Sparked by Sruthi’s personal experience with her paralysed father’s suffering, the wheelchair features a 3-litre water tank with a jet spray bidet for personal cleansing, foldable sturdy steel frame, adjustable reclining backrest, and battery- and water-level indicators.
Launched in 2022, the product secured ₹1 crore funding on Shark Tank India and is gaining official endorsements for nationwide scaling under government programmes to improve accessibility.
With two variants priced between ₹30,000 and ₹40,000, Sahayatha promises dignity, independence, and safety to users-and is being piloted in hospitals and homes with plans to subsidise access for low-income communities.
Innovating Mobility with Empathy
Sruthi Babu’s journey began from a deeply personal and painful experience. Witnessing her father’s paralysis and his whispered despair, “It’s better to die than live like this,” Sruthi dedicated herself to relieving the daily struggles faced by immobile patients.
Over five years, she and her late mechanical engineer father developed 118 prototypes before landing on the final design of Sahayatha, a wheelchair that is more than a mobility device. Its standout feature is a built-in hygiene system: a 300ml high-pressure jet spray powered by a rechargeable battery, which works with a 3-litre water tank to provide automatic cleansing at the press of a button.
This reduces reliance on caregivers and maintains the user’s privacy and dignity. The wheelchair also features a reclining backrest adjustable up to 180 degrees, detachable handrests and legrests for customizable comfort, and rear wheel locks for safety.
Its steel frame supports up to 100 kg and folds compactly for ease of transport and storage.
Extensive Features Enhancing Daily Life
The Sahayatha wheelchair comes in two models: the S200 foldable version and the S100 advanced recliner with multipurpose smart commode facilities. Both feature smooth 200mm castor wheels in front and large rear wheels ensuring manoeuvrability in various environments, from hospitals to home settings.
Water and battery level indicators alert users when refills and recharging are needed, eliminating unexpected interruptions. The adjustable bidet sprays at a 60-degree angle to ensure comfortable and thorough cleaning, promoting hygiene and preventing infections common among immobile patients.
The detachable components allow users to transfer easily or attend to needs without discomfort. Sahayatha’s patented design, nearing final patent grant, embodies innovation grounded in user needs, with Babu describing it as “a promise of dignity, comfort, and independence for every person.”
National Recognition and Social Impact
Since its commercial launch in 2022, Sahayatha has sold over 400 units and gained national recognition, especially after winning ₹1 crore funding on Shark Tank India in 2023, which accelerated production and market presence.
The founder secured early grant funding from government bodies like BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) amounting to ₹50 lakhs, reflecting confidence in the product’s potential to improve healthcare and disability support infrastructure.
Ministry officials have praised Sahayatha as a “model of inclusive Indian innovation” and discussions are underway to integrate it into government programmes like the Accessible India Mission for scaling to low-income users.
Non-governmental organisations are also partnering to subsidise wheelchairs, ensuring accessibility across socio-economic barriers. Medical experts emphasise that this intelligent wheelchair can significantly reduce caretaker burden, lower risks of falls and infections, and improve quality of life for millions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Sahayatha represents a remarkable example of how empathy and technology can converge to create life-enhancing solutions for those often neglected by mainstream innovation. By addressing deeply rooted challenges faced by people with disabilities, Sruthi Babu’s invention strengthens the principles of dignity, independence, and social inclusion.
It compels society to rethink accessibility beyond physical infrastructure-to technological empowerment that restores confidence and autonomy.
Such initiatives reflect The Logical Indian’s commitment to fostering kindness, coexistence, and positive social change through constructive dialogue and shared responsibility.
