IIT Madras’ new adaptable electric standing wheelchair to empower the disabled

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Wednesday launched ‘NeoStand’, an indigenously developed, adaptable electric standing wheelchair.

Chennai: Now people with disabilities can just as easily pick up a book at the touch of a button or simply enjoy a cup of coffee while standing at the counter.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Wednesday launched ‘NeoStand’, an indigenously developed, adaptable electric standing wheelchair.

“With the touch of a button, wheelchair users can effortlessly transition from sitting to standing, opening up a world of possibilities – whether it’s having conversations at eye level, picking up a book or simply enjoying a cup of coffee while standing at the counter. the IIT said in a statement.

“With NeoStand, the user only needs to flick a switch to go from sitting to standing. Even a healthcare provider or a therapist in a hospital can help the user gradually practice standing as NeoStand allows the user to stop in intermediate positions, which is important from a therapeutic point of view,” said Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, from the department Mechanical engineering. Engineering, IIT Madras, said in the statement.

Srinivasan also headed the Institute’s TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development, which earlier developed ‘Arise’, India’s first manual upright wheelchair, and ‘NeoBolt’, the country’s first motorized wheelchair add-on.

“Wheelchairs enable us and it is a safe space for our personal mobility and to carry out daily activities. The ability to stand at the touch of a button makes the wheelchair even more inclusive, allowing quadriplegics to stand independently,” said Justin Jesudas, who has been a quadriplegic for 14 years, in the statement.