Pune-based Scope T&M, designer and manufacturer of precision test and measuring instruments for the power sector, introduced an indigenously designed electric wheelchair, 'Aseem', in the city recently. | |
| "Ours is the first attempt to manufacture battery-operated wheelchairs in the country. These chairs cost one-third the price of other battery-operated models available in the market," claimed Uday Karandikar, chief executive officer, Scope T&M. |
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| Aseem comes in two options "" fixed and folding"" and is priced at Rs 20,000. |
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| Currently available in Pune and the adjoining towns, the company plans to make its products available nationally in the next 12-15 months as it reaches full manufacturing capacity of 1,000 units per month. |
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| "We are targeting revenues of Rs 16 crore or sales of 8,000 units within the coming 12 months of operations," said Karandikar. |
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| Even though 80 per cent of the market is dominated by the unorganised sector, Karandikar is unfazed by the market potential. |
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| "As per our estimates, there is a market of over four crore people who are orthopedic handicaps. Of this, 1.25-1.5 crore would go for an electronic wheelchair over the manual one," he said. |
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| The company also plans to introduce the indigenous version of the popular Segway. |
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| "We will introduce a personal battery-operated transport vehicle for moving around in short distances like malls and exhibitions in the next 12 months. It will be priced at Rs 10,000," said Karandikar, adding, "We are currently in the process of freezing the design and will have the prototype ready by December." |
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