Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Technology
  • #TechThursdays – BETIC at IIT Bombay is helping young innovators develop high quality assistive tech at low cost

#TechThursdays – BETIC at IIT Bombay is helping young innovators develop high quality assistive tech at low cost

Technology May 9, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

His own struggles coping with disability led young Aneesh Karma to look into finding ways to help others who have difficulty in walking.

“I am from Bulandshaher in Uttar Pradesh and I could not study beyond Class 12 as I had problems in walking, says Aneesh. “My wife is disabled too and faces the same issue.

This led Aneesh too look at a low cost and better alternative to the drop lock calipers that are widely used in India. While they are affordable, they cause an unnatural gait. “Because they lock the knee while a person is walking, the gait is abnormal and also causes severe problems, says Aneesh. “So, a lot of people stop using it. There are better solutions are available but are expensive.

Aneesh has developed KAFO, a affordable and comfortable alternative that works on stance-controlled actuation, leading to a more natural gait. His idea found support at the Biomedical Engineering & Technology (incubation) Centre (BETiC), located inside the campus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay.

“BETIC supported us in covering prototyping costs and assembling a team of qualified engineers and also provided mentoring in terms of technical support, business incubation guidance and of filing for government grants, adds Aneesh.

KAFO is made up of high-density polymer (HDP), stainless steel, velcro, paddings and force-transmitting wires. In less than eight months, Anees plans to bring the product to the market.

Like Aneesh, BETiC is supporting hundreds of innovators in developing technologies in affordable healthcare.

BETiC owes its origins to a study conducted in 2009 by the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, which recommended setting up a biomedical engineering and technology centre in the state. At the behest of Maharashtra government, IIT Bombay agreed to incubate the centre over a five year period (2014-2019). Subsequently, 8 other BETiC cells came up in engineering and medical colleges across the state. – Professor B Ravi, Founder, Biomedical Engineering & Technology (incubation) Centre (BETiC)

The gaps when it comes to assistive technologies in particular are huge. Much of what is available is imported and available at costs that unaffordable to most Indians, a challenge that BETiC is looking at closely as well.

“Indian vendors are finding it difficult to match the quality of prostheses imported from the West as well as those provided by government organizations, adds Dr Ravi. “It was a good challenge to achieve both – high quality with low cost.“

Keeping this goal in mind, engineers at BETiC collaborated with NGOs providing assistive devices. This led to two projects. One is a above-knee prosthetic leg for amputees, and the other, a knee ankle foot orthosis for those affected by polio. Both devices are in advanced stages of development, and have been tested by volunteers with “satisfying results.

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Get-hooked
    Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day
  • Get-hooked
    “Find ways to help yourself” – Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s powerful message for women with disabilities
  • Get-hooked
    Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Close up of blind cook Christine Ha

Get-hooked

“Find ways to help yourself” – Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha’s powerful message for women with disabilities

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Coronavirus-news

Umoya Sports launches online physical education programme for kids with & without disabilities

Get-hooked

Poet-activist Abhishek Anicca looks to trigger conversations about disability with spoken word poem

Get-hooked

Understanding Non-Verbal Autism

Get-hooked

#LovePossible - How Anitha knew Immanuel really loved her

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.