<p>With an increase in demand for low-cost electric wheelchairs, a new single-motor-propelled wheelchair is being developed. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The venture is expected to bring down the cost of power wheelchairs by half.<br /><br />The special wheelchair is being designed to be a low-cost electric-powered wheelchair keeping in mind the varied rural and urban terrains found in India. <br /><br />Collaboration <br /><br />It is being developed through a collaborative project between the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) and the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at University of Pittsburgh. <br /><br />The project is being jointly funded by the Indian ministry of science and technology and National Institute of Health.<br /><br />“While the cost of a normal power wheelchair begins at Rs 60,000 and goes up to Rs 10,50,000, we plan to reduce the price by half through this venture,” said Nejhram Upadhyay of ISIC.<br /><br />Huge need<br /><br />According to World Health Organisation (WHO), around 65 million wheelchairs are required worldwide. A country like India often faces obstacles in accessing wheelchairs at an affordable price.<br /><br />“Our aim is to develop a technically-suited wheelchair for the Indian environment, whether urban or rural,” said Dr H S Chhabra, medical director at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.</p>
<p>With an increase in demand for low-cost electric wheelchairs, a new single-motor-propelled wheelchair is being developed. <br /><br /></p>.<p>The venture is expected to bring down the cost of power wheelchairs by half.<br /><br />The special wheelchair is being designed to be a low-cost electric-powered wheelchair keeping in mind the varied rural and urban terrains found in India. <br /><br />Collaboration <br /><br />It is being developed through a collaborative project between the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) and the Human Engineering Research Laboratories at University of Pittsburgh. <br /><br />The project is being jointly funded by the Indian ministry of science and technology and National Institute of Health.<br /><br />“While the cost of a normal power wheelchair begins at Rs 60,000 and goes up to Rs 10,50,000, we plan to reduce the price by half through this venture,” said Nejhram Upadhyay of ISIC.<br /><br />Huge need<br /><br />According to World Health Organisation (WHO), around 65 million wheelchairs are required worldwide. A country like India often faces obstacles in accessing wheelchairs at an affordable price.<br /><br />“Our aim is to develop a technically-suited wheelchair for the Indian environment, whether urban or rural,” said Dr H S Chhabra, medical director at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.</p>
