IIT Madras unveils customizable electric standing wheelchair for empowering individuals with disabilities

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have launched ‘NeoStand’, a customizable electric standing wheelchair that allows people with disabilities to easily transition from sitting to standing at the touch of a button. The wheelchair opens up new possibilities for users to engage in eye-level conversations, reach for items, and perform daily activities.

The head of the Institute’s TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development, Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, highlighted the importance of NeoStand in providing users with the ability to stop at intermediate positions, allowing for a gradual transition to standing. This feature is especially beneficial for therapeutic purposes and can be used by caregivers or therapists to assist users in practicing standing independently.

Justin Jesudas, a person with quadriplegia for the last 14 years, emphasized the significance of the ability to stand with just a push of a button, stating that it makes the wheelchair more inclusive and enables quadriplegics to stand independently. This innovative technology builds upon previous developments such as ‘Arise’, India’s first manual standing wheelchair, and ‘NeoBolt’, the country’s first motorized add-on for wheelchairs.

The NeoStand wheelchair represents a significant advancement in assistive technology, providing users with a newfound sense of independence and mobility. The launch of this indigenously developed product marks a milestone in the field of accessibility and inclusion, offering a solution that enhances the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.