INDIAN INSTITUTE of Technology (IIT-K) director Dr Sanjay G Dhande presented a recently-developed rickshaw specially designed for physically challenged to the students at the Spastic Centre on the World Disabled Day at a simple ceremony here today.
The new rickshaw is partially battery-operated and has been designed by Akash Kumar, a student of the Masters Course in Designing at the IIT-K, with Peter and Tee, students from Stanford University, USA. The trio was supervised by Dr Amit Ray with financial support provided by the SIDBI Innovation & Incubation Centre. The technological and working knowledge for the project was provided by the IIT-K and the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCo).
The rickshaw is extremely user-friendly with the height of the rear seat being adjustable. The seat is linked to a hydraulic pump which could be pressed into service by a turning a hand gear towards right by the rickshaw driver.
Dr Amit Ray, HoD, Design, told Hindustan Times, the rickshaw cost about Rs 5,000 and could be easily manufactured by any private entrepreneur for commercial use for spastic children.
He said, “The rear entry provided for a better interfacing with the wheelchair and the use of Hydraulic pump to lower and raise the seat and thus enhancing the mobility of the disabled people by assisting them in getting into and getting down from rickshaw on their own. The design critically examines and considers factors like human body, dimensions, ergonomics and limitations of the disabled people, weight of the person, comfort and ease of fabrication, cost effectiveness and aesthetics.”
{{/usCountry}}He said, “The rear entry provided for a better interfacing with the wheelchair and the use of Hydraulic pump to lower and raise the seat and thus enhancing the mobility of the disabled people by assisting them in getting into and getting down from rickshaw on their own. The design critically examines and considers factors like human body, dimensions, ergonomics and limitations of the disabled people, weight of the person, comfort and ease of fabrication, cost effectiveness and aesthetics.”
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