Thryv Mobility will manufacture and market YD One, with CSR support from Trimble, RRD, and Schueco India enabling distribution to underserved users
Published Jul 16, 2025 | 10:15 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 16, 2025 | 10:15 PM
IIT Madras launches India’s lightest precision-built wheelchair, ‘YD One’
In a groundbreaking development, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) on Wednesday launched ‘YD One’, India’s lightest and first indigenously developed mono-tube rigid-frame active wheelchair, weighing just 9 kg.
Unveiled on the IIT Madras campus in the presence of Surgeon Vice Admiral Anupam Kapur, senior defence and medical dignitaries, and institute faculty, the wheelchair is custom-built for each user and is designed to global standards. It combines ultra-light materials, precision engineering, and ergonomic design to offer unmatched mobility and independence to users.
Developed by IIT Madras’ TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) in collaboration with the startup Thryv Mobility, YD One is a major leap in assistive technology, addressing the long-standing challenges faced by wheelchair users in India — including heavy weight, poor design, and limited mobility.
Surgeon Vice Admiral Kapur praised the innovation, noting its potential for real-world deployment through collaborations with the Armed Forces and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). He called it a step towards “true independence” for people with disabilities.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, highlighted the institute’s commitment to inclusive tech. Project lead Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan said the goal was to transform India’s assistive device landscape with globally competitive, locally made solutions.
Thryv Mobility will manufacture and market YD One, with CSR support from Trimble, RRD, and Schueco India enabling distribution to underserved users. The wheelchair’s launch marks a milestone in India’s journey toward inclusive, affordable, high-performance mobility.
