IIT Madras ties up with MOBIS to fund 500 motorised wheelchairs for disabled

The motorised wheelchair developed by NeoMotion is a completely indigenous ‘Made in India’ device that has been designed factoring in the Indian conditions to be a high-quality yet affordable product. 

Global Auto Components Major MOBIS has collaborated with IIT Madras-incubated startup NeoMotion that works on developing indigenous rehabilitative devices, to provide personalised motorised wheelchairs for 500 people with disabilities. MOBIS has taken up the project under its CSR initiative of ‘Accessibility and Freedom.’ More beneficiaries would be identified in other parts of the country.  

Custom-made products to improve user’s quality of life 

The wheelchairs were handed over to the first set of 50 beneficiaries at MOBIS plant in Sriperumbudur, Chennai, on December 12, 2022. The wheelchairs, called ‘NeoFly’, are custom-made after a clinical assessment of the beneficiary to provide the proper fitting and the correct posture. Further, a scooter clip-on device, called ‘NeoBolt,’ allows wheelchairs to be driven on the roads. This empowers them to complete their education, pursue employment opportunities and become empowered.  

Prem Sai, Head of Human Resources, Hyundai MOBIS, said, “As a part of MOBIS, we majorly focus on the fronts of medical and education through our CSR activities, which shall create a positive impact on deserving people.” 

He said, “In the last two years, Mobis Foundation has extended several CSR projects supporting many government schools by providing additional classrooms, toilets, benches and desks, construction of Anganwadis, housing support for transgender, rejuvenating ponds to save water bodies and nutritional support for pregnant women to reduce the child mortality rate.”  

Under the project, 500 beneficiaries will be assessed and NeoFly and NeoBolt will be handed over to them. Till now, more than 300 have been assessed in Chennai, Hyderabad and Delhi. Through three camps, almost 100 units have already been handed over and training has been given to beneficiaries on how to use the product safely. The fourth such handover event was held at MOBIS factory at Sriperumbudur. 

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