IIT Madras Launches YD One – India’s Lightest 8.5 kg Active Wheelchair
- priyamadam77
- Jul 17
- 1 min read
In a breakthrough for mobility and disability support, IIT Madras has unveiled 'YD One', a cutting-edge wheelchair weighing just 8.5 kg, making it India’s lightest active rigid-frame wheelchair.
An Innovation for Independence
Developed by the TTK Centre for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development in partnership with THRYV Mobility, a startup incubated at IIT Madras, the YD One aims to transform lives by offering lightweight, high-performance mobility for individuals with disabilities.
Key Features of YD One
Weight: Just 8.5 kilograms
Build: Single-frame made from aerospace-grade materials
Design: Minimalistic with 14 color options
Size Range: Fully customizable from 13 to 18 inches
Built to Withstand Extreme Use
YD One’s durability was highlighted by THRYV Mobility founder and CEO Justin Jesudas, who emphasized the wheelchair’s robust performance under testing:
Passed 2 lakh cycles of double drum test
Withstood 6,666 drops without cracking or scratchingThis demonstrates the engineering precision and resilience of its monoframe geometry.
A Leap Forward in Assistive Technology
By combining lightweight design with rugged durability, IIT Madras and THRYV Mobility aim to empower users with greater mobility, independence, and dignity. The innovation signifies a major step in India’s homegrown assistive tech space, with a focus on accessibility, comfort, and engineering excellence.
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