IIT Madras launches indigenously designed 'Arise' standing wheelchair

The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras on Tuesday launched the country's "first indigenously" designed standing wheelchair, which will enable a differently-abled person to shift from sitting to standing position. Named 'Arise', the standing wheelchair was launched in the presence of Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thawarchand Gehlot at the institute.

IIT Madras, "in collaboration with Phoenix Medical Systems has launched India's first indigenously-designed standing wheelchair," it said. "It enables a differently-abled person requiring a wheelchair to shift from sitting to standing position, and vice versa, independently and in a controlled manner," a release from the university said.

Designed and developed by institute's TTK Center for R2D2

It was designed and developed by the institute's TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2), headed by Prof Sujatha Srinivasan in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Since 2015, with CSR support from TTK Prestige, the Centre was involved in research related to human movement, the influence of orthotic and prosthetic devices on human movement, and the design and development of mechanisms, products and assistive devices for people with impairments, it said.

READ | MHA seeks clarification on Delhi HC order; protesting cops set demands

READ | Bar Council chief tells lawyers to resume work; Delhi police protests

'Arise will be made available at affordable prices'

"Thanks to a novel mass-manufacturable mechanical design.... and Phoenix's manufacturing capabilities Arise will be made available at affordable prices," it said. Gehlot lauded IIT Madras for its initiative, and also recalled the Narendra Modi government's various welfare measures for the 'divyang,' including setting up five national-level sophisticated sports centres for differently-abled sportspersons in different parts of the country. According to Sashi Kumar, Managing Director, Phoenix Medical Systems, testing partners for 'Arise' included NGOs, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, individual users and clinicians who provided inputs. The initiative also had the support of Wellcome, an UK-based foundation, the release said.

WATCH | Indian Army busts Hizbul terror hideout in J&K's Kishtwar

READ | Cop protest forces 'duty calls' statement from Delhi CP Amulya Patnaik