Design & development of a portable, lightweight, adaptable motorized mobility system for diverse user needs and accessible transportation
Principal Investigator
Prof. Manish Anand & Sujatha Srinivasan
Objective
- To design, prototype, and validate a lightweight, portable, foldable, and adaptable motorized mobility system capable of serving diverse user needs across healthcare, community mobility, and transportation environments, Lightweight and portable architecture, Foldable mobility platform for easy transport and storage, Adaptable seating configurations for diverse users, Capability to navigate narrow indoor spaces, Potential use as an aircraft aisle mobility solution, Suitability for geriatric and rehabilitation use-cases, Modular architecture for different mobility requirements, User-centric and dignity-oriented design
Description
- This project represents an opportunity to fundamentally rethink mobility for millions of users who currently fall between traditional categories of assistive devices. By creating a portable, adaptable, and transportation-friendly powered mobility system, IIT Madras aims to develop a solution that improves independence, dignity, and participation across healthcare, travel, ageing, and disability ecosystems.
Impact
- Development of an advanced prototype mobility system, Validation across multiple use-cases and user groups, Improved portability and accessibility in transportation settings, Creation of an indigenous mobility innovation platform, Potential pathway toward commercialization and scale-up, A fundamental rethink of mobility for millions of users who currently fall between traditional categories of assistive devices, improving independence, dignity and participation across healthcare, travel, ageing and disability ecosystems, Potential to significantly influence how inclusive mobility is approached not only in India, but across other low- and middle-income countries facing similar accessibility challenges