S. Vishnu Sharma
IIT Madras NeoBolt is the indigenous motorized wheelchair vehicle that can be used on roads and uneven terrains.
Researchers from IIT Madras who developed NeoBolt said it has maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour and can travel for a distance of 25 kilometres per charge.
IIT Madras NeoBolt features
NeoBolt empowers wheelchair users with a convenient, safe and low-cost mode of outdoor mobility when compared to cars, auto rickshaws or modified scooters.
NeoBolt is powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery that will give 25 Kms for every charge.
IIT Madras NeoBolt Development
Throughout the development process of IIT Madras NeoBolt, IIT Madras researchers collaborated extensively with organisations and hospitals working among people with locomotor disability and built the products factoring in their experiences and making constant design adjustments.
IIT Madras NeoBolt Developers
The team of IIT Madras researchers who developed NeoBolt were led by Professor Sujatha Srinivasan from Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras.
It is interesting to note that Professor Sujatha Srinivasan who led the team that developed IIT Madras NeoBolt also led the team that developed India’s first indigenously designed Standing Wheelchair called ‘Arise’ which enables a wheelchair user to shift from sitting to standing position.
Neomotion
NeoBolt has been commercialised through a startup called NeoMotion.
The startup has been co-founded by Professor Sujatha Srinivasan and an IIT Madras Alumnus Mr. Swostik Sourav Dash, who is the CEO of NeoMotion.
The vision
Professor Sujatha spoke about the vision behind the development of NeoBolt. Sujatha is also faculty head at TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2).
‘Our centre’s vision is to transform the disability landscape in India by creating functional and affordable assistive devices.’
How often do you see a wheelchair user at a school, an office, a shop or a theatre? Wheelchair users are typically restricted to the four walls of their home, which affects their community participation and their ability to contribute to the economy, said Professor Sujatha.
‘NeoMotion, the start-up from R2D2 incubated at IIT Madras, is here to transform the landscape through game-changing and world-class wheelchair products designed and made in India – for India and the world.’
The start-up has also developed and commercially launched ‘NeoFly,’ a personalized wheelchair designed to enhance health and lifestyle.
As much as 18 customizations ensure a perfect fit to the user’s requirements.
Professor Sujatha said NeoFly is the first Indian Wheelchair that is customised to the user.
It is built to provide comfort, efficient propulsion, higher manoeuvrability and superior ergonomics.
Also read ‘Know how to download hall ticket for JEE Mains 2021 fourth edition. The procedure is described here‘
The motor-powered attachment, NeoBolt converts NeoFly into a safe, road-worthy vehicle that can navigate any kind of terrain that we may normally encounter – drive through unpaved streets or climb a steep gradient.
And do this comfortably as it has suspensions to absorb the shocks.
Products with features comparable to NeoBolt are available only in the global market and are at least three to five times more expensive.
Swostik Sourav Dash
Swostik said NeoFly and NeoBolt are presently being used by over 600 users across 28 States in India. The feedback has been positive.
The demo units are available in 15 dealer outlets and four rehabilitation centres in major cities, pan India.
With our unique NeoFit system, the entire customization is done remotely, so that a well-fitting NeoFly lands at the user’s doorstep, he said.
He further said along with product warranty, we provide spare parts and after-sales service so that our users can use the products hassle-free.
Our immediate focus is to ramp up production and make NeoFly and NeoBolt available to users across India.
NeoFly personalized wheelchair is available at Rs. 39,900 and NeoBolt motorized add-on is available at Rs. 55,000.
We offer convenient EMI options. Users can pre-book their orders with us for just Rs. 1,000 by registering on our website, he said.
NeoBolt and NeoFly
It is estimated that around three lakh wheelchairs are sold annually in India, of which 2.5 lakh are imported.
Nearly 95 percent of all wheelchairs sold in India are ‘one-size-fits-all,’ which restricts mobility, damages health, and lowers self-confidence.
NeoFly and NeoBolt developed by the IIT Madras Team are intended at addressing these issues.
NeoFly covers three to five times more distance for every push owing to the right posture, a rigid frame and an ergonomic pushrim.
A 30% smaller footprint for same seating area enhances accessibility of narrow spaces.
Read More – Andhra Pradesh Government: Great, 100% tuition fee reimbursement for courses
The design conforms to user’s body, making the user more visible than the wheelchair. NeoCushion, a cushion with every NeoFly, is specially designed to enhance skincare, stability and ease of transfer.
NeoBolt is a motor-powered clip-on which converts NeoFly into a safe, roadworthy vehicle.
It is designed to enable wheelchair users to go out into the world and explore life.
It eliminates the need to transfer into other vehicles and can be independently attached by the user within seconds.
Features
What are the features in NeoFly and NeoBolt? There are lot in both of them and they are mentioned below:
NeoFly
⮚ Puncture Resistant Tires, Indoor and Outdoor Options
⮚ Ergonomic Pushrim
⮚ Rigid Frame Design
⮚ Adjustable Backrest Height & Angle
⮚ Adjustable Footrest Height & Angle
⮚ Five Size Options of Seat Width & Seat Depth
⮚ Safety Anti-Tippers
NeoBolt
⮚ Quick and Easy Attachment Design (Patented)
⮚ Safety Anti-Tippers (Patented)
⮚ Li-Ion Battery, 25 km per charge, 4 hours recharge
⮚ Digital Dashboard
⮚ Headlight, Side Indicators, Horn, Mirror
⮚ Reverse Function
⮚ Telescopic Suspension
⮚ Rugged Built Chassis