Bangalore firm will launch low-cost electric wheelchair
The chair will be priced around Rs 45,000
CHENNAI: Bangalore-based wheelchair maker Ostrich Mobility Instrument will soon launch its low-cost electric-powered wheelchair designed to provide easy mobility to physically challenged people.
The wheelchair will be priced around Rs 45,000 and have all the basic features of a standard electric wheelchair, said the companys Managing Director Hari Vasudevan.
A similar electric wheelchair made domestically costs around Rs 75,000 to Rs one lakh while an imported one around Rs one lakh.
The company is planning to raise a capital of Rs 20 crore from the debt market to increase its annual production capacity to 1,200 wheelchairs from the present 100 and install an additional production line for manufacturing the low-cost wheelchair.
It is also contemplating launching an electric-powered three/four wheel scooter and rideon-toy cars, he said, adding that 50 to 60 per cent of the components for the new wheelchair would be sourced from the overseas market.
Vasudevan said the wheelchair would also have certain indigenous products, developed using very high quality parts.
We took it as our social responsibility and a challenge to design a cost-effective but high quality powered wheelchair, he said, adding that it had been designed after getting feedback from customers, experts and doctors.
He said the company was also planning to provide employment to physically disabled persons as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.
We are planning to provide free training to physically challenged persons. They will be absorbed in production
slots where physical activity is minimal, he
said. PTI
slots where physical activity is minimal, he
said. PTI
A low cost semi-automatic wheelchair developed by Defence Research Development Organisation, Bangalore