Powering a range of devices to give specially-abled a sense of independence

Chennai-based startups use EV and augmented alternative communication to offer solutions that allow their special customers to lead much more normal lives than they could otherwise

First, some distressing news. About 2.2 per cent of Indians lived with some kind of disability, according to data from the National Statistics Office's 2011 Census. What's more, a report titled Disabled Persons in India: A Statistical Profile 2016, by the Social Statistics Division under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MosPI), says nearly 20 per cent of these people have some kind of movement disability.

While the ramps at malls, hospitals and other establishments do make life somewhat easier for wheelchair-bound persons, they invariably need external assistance to get into or out of a car, for instance. 

It is this problem that Yali Mobility Pvt Ltd, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, has solved with the development of a device that helps such people become completely self-dependent for their mobility needs. Yali aims to minimise the pain of handicap by allowing wheelchair-bound persons to drive their contraptions on their own, without depending on others to transfer them from the chair to another vehicle. Here's how:

Yali has developed a special electric mobility vehicle that has an in-built ramp-like structure at the rear, for the wheelchair to easily slip into and get attached to the vehicle, which comes with an E-Differential, a mechanism that ensures better safety for the user. 

In all three- and four-wheelers, a differential is a mechanical part that brings cornering stability and the power required for the vehicle wheels to turn left or right. 

Yali's vehicle does not have a mechanical differential in the axle shaft between two rear wheels. However, the firm uses the electric-differential, or e-differential, for the ramp structure to facilitate easy ingress and egress for the wheelchair user. The e-differential enhances safety and stability for users at cornerings and turnings, as it suits their design better.

"We have automated all the ingress-egress (entry and exit) processes, and the vehicle can be completely controlled by a single remote. The patient can directly ingress into the vehicle along with his wheelchair, and needn't rely on anyone else to transfer him from wheelchair to vehicle and vice versa. This gives him better physical comfort," says Sakthivel Thayappahn, director, Yali Mobility.

He adds that the firm plans to offer the product on a lease-to-rent or a lease-to-own model on a pilot basis (the product is expected to be launched by year end). Under this, Yali will collect a refundable deposit of Rs 30,000 from the user for a 12-month lease agreement with a monthly rent outgo of Rs 5,000-6,000. At the end of the lease, the user can either extend for another 12 months, or pay a fixed sum and buy the vehicles from Yali. Or he can simply return it.

IIT Madras Incubation Cell holds about six per cent stake in Yali. The product was developed by Yali Mobility in collaboration with  Dr Anil Prabhakar and Dr Boby George, professors from the electrical engineering department at IIT-M.

The mouse that follows the head

Deep-tech enterprise Dextroware Devices has developed a product that helps people with upper-limb disabilities to control computers with head movements. 

Dextroware Devices, also incubated in IIT-M, developed Mouseware, an Augmented Alternative Communication device (ACC) that gives the user control over a mouse cursor by merely moving his head. All he has to do is move his head in one direction and the mouse will follow, without the patient having to use his hands.

"Similar AAC products made outside India start at Rs 45,000 and a few go till Rs 1,20,000, whereas Mouseware is an integrated device with smartphone control, speech-to-text and switches, and is available for just Rs 15,000," says Pravin Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, Dextroware Devices

The product is different from others that use switches or speech-to-text that individually enable only clicks and voice-typing, respectively, Some also use camera-based technologies to track the user’s head movement, which makes them expensive, remarks Kumar.

IIT-M holds an undisclosed stake in the company. The product has passed the EMI/EMC compliance tests and qualifies under the IEC 60601 medical standards.

Outdoor mobility

Another deep-tech startup, NeoMotion, also incubated at IIT Madras, took three years to develop two products at the institute that ease mobility for the differently-abled. The innovations, called NeoFly and NeoBolt, have been commercialised and are available across all 31 states in the country. 

"For outdoor mobility, wheelchair users typically use modified scooters and tricycles. Very few can safely and independently move into these vehicles, due to which they are often confined at home. NeoFly and NeoBolt seek to address this problem," says Swostik Sourav Dash of NeoMotion.

NeoFly is a personalised wheelchair designed to enhance health and lifestyle. Its 18 customisations ensure a perfect fit to the user’s needs.

How the products work: Neofly can cover three to five times more distance with every push owing to the right posture, a rigid frame and an ergonomic pushrim. A 30 per cent smaller footprint for the same seating area enhances accessibility of narrow spaces.

NeoCushion, a cushion that comes with every NeoFly, is specially designed to enhance stability, and ease of transfer.

NeoBolt, on the other hand, is a motor-powered clip-on that converts NeoFly into a safe, roadworthy vehicle.

"It is designed to enable wheelchair users to go out into the world, explore life, get employed and have fun," says Dash. 

NeoBolt eliminates the need to transfer into other vehicles and can be independently attached by the user within seconds. It has a maximum speed of 25 kmph and travels up to 30 km per charge. Dash claims it can safely be used on uneven terrains as well.

The aim of the contraption is to empower wheelchair users with a low-cost mode of outdoor mobility when compared to cars, auto rickshaws or modified scooters.

Both products have been tested to ISO-7176 standards for wheelchairs.

Dash claims he has acquired 1,200 customers for NeoFly (priced at Rs 40,000) and NeoBolt (Rs 55,000). The two products were commercially launched in 2020 and are sold both on a D2C basis and through a network of 15 distributors. He adds that the NeoBolt requires as much parking space as a two-wheeler, but says that the contraption should not be exposed to rain for long.