IIT Madras unveils India’s lightest custom-built active wheelchair- YD One

In a major step forward for accessible mobility, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched YD One , India’s lightest active wheelchair, weighing just 9 kilograms. Developed entirely in-house, YD One is the nation’s first indigenously engineered mono-tube rigid-frame wheelchair, aligning with global standards in performance, comfort, and design.

Also Read:Over 130 women entrepreneurs to unite at FLO Santé to champion conscious commerce in Bengaluru

Unveiled on 16th July 2025 at the IIT Madras campus, the launch event was graced by Surgeon Vice Admiral Anupam Kapur (DGHS - Armed Forces), Prof. V. Kamakoti (Director, IIT Madras), Dr. Manish Anand (Project Coordinator), Dr. Ravinder Singh (ICMR), and several other dignitaries and partners involved in the project.

What sets YD One apart is its highly customisable build, tailored precisely to each user’s body, posture, and daily mobility needs. Its ultra-lightweight yet durable frame, made with aerospace-grade materials, offers enhanced energy efficiency and ease of handling, making it ideal for both private and public transport. Unlike conventional hospital-style wheelchairs that are bulky and limiting, YD One empowers users with independence and confidence.

This product is not just a medical aid but a symbol of autonomy. IIT Madras aims to change the outdated narrative that wheelchairs are restrictive. With YD One, mobility becomes stylish, functional, and liberating.

The wheelchair will be manufactured by Thryv Mobility, a startup incubated at IIT Madras. This partnership ensures local production to international standards while keeping the product affordable and accessible to Indian users and emerging global markets.