Through their development of a versatile and affordable electric wheelchair, students in India aim to empower individuals with physical disabilities
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 65 million people worldwide rely on wheelchairs for mobility – but for so many of them, the physical strength and dexterity required to operate a manual wheelchair can prove challenging and limiting. And while electric wheelchairs powered by a motor and battery system offer better mobility and convenient control by a joystick or another method, they’re not necessarily readily accessible to all who need them.
A team of students from the SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tiruchirappalli Campus in India recently tackled this issue head-on by developing a ‘User Customizable Multifunctional Wheelchair for the Disabled.’ And through their EPICS in IEEE project of the same name and this innovative solution, they’re directly addressing the mobility challenges faced by individuals with cerebral palsy and other neurodevelopmental disabilities.
In the following interview, SRMIST student, IEEE student chapter member, and project participant Balaji Gunasekaran discussed the team’s goals, the skills they acquired as a result of their project, and why they recommend the EPICS in IEEE project experience for students worldwide.
Who led your project and what community organization did you partner with?
Gunasekaran: Our project was led by Bharath Kumar M.L,. a member of the IEEE Industry Applications Society (IAS), and our mentor was Dr. Anandpushparaj J. (AP/ECE); participants included myself and technical members Gopikka Nair A. and Vasanth Kumar T. We partnered with The Spastics Society of Tiruchirappalli, which provides rehabilitation services for children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities.
What was the scope of your project and its importance to the community?
Gunasekaran: Our wheelchair is designed to be affordable and versatile so that it supports users with varying levels of motor control. Recognizing that many electric wheelchairs are expensive and offer limited customization, we worked to deliver an electric wheelchair with three distinct operation modes – a “Joystick Mode” for users with moderate arm control, a “Touch Recognition Mode” for individuals with limited dexterity, and a “Voice Recognition Mode” for those who are unable to use their hands effectively. By collaborating with the Spastics Society of Tiruchirappalli, our team helped ensure that the solution directly benefited children and youth in rehabilitative and educational settings.
What technology did your innovation employ?
Gunasekaran: Through advanced voice recognition technology integrated into the wheelchair system, users can operate our device entirely hands-free. Our touch-sensing controls respond to minimal touch, such as a single finger tap or swipe, and allow users to change direction or adjust their speed effortlessly. Our specially designed ergonomic joystick requires minimal fine motor skills, enabling users to operate the wheelchair using alternative hand movements such as palm or wrist control. Hardware required for our development of these modes included Raspberry Pi, a DF Robot voice recognition module, a Logitech joystick, Cytron motor drivers, a 24V Li-ion battery, a Waveshare touch display, and a custom wheelchair frame. In terms of software, we developed firmware with a user-friendly interface for touch, voice, and joystick input to enable seamless multi-mode control.
What challenges did your team encounter in your project?
Gunasekaran: The most significant technical challenge we faced involved the integration of three distinct control modes while keeping operation smooth and reliable. This was achieved through iterative calibration and rigorous user testing.
What skills did your team members build throughout your project?
Gunasekaran: We acquired skills in the key technical areas of embedded systems and electronics, mechanical design and rapid prototyping, and software integration. On the interpersonal side, working together on this project helped us strengthen our teamwork and project management skills.
What’s been the impact of this project so far and what’s your hope for the future of the project?
Gunasekaran: Continuous input from users and therapists at our partner NGO enabled us to make ergonomic and functional improvements that enhanced comfort and usability, and we ultimately developed a fully functional prototype tested in real-world scenarios. In the short term, our prototype directly benefited 50 students at the Spastics Society, but we expect it to support more than 100 individuals across further deployments down the line. Our future plans for our scalable and affordable assistive technology include extended training and deployment for partner organizations, commercialization for broader accessibility, and integration of advanced AI-based gesture recognition in upcoming iterations.
How did EPICS in IEEE’s support prove critical for your project?
Gunasekaran: The support we received from EPICS in IEEE helped us manage financial and logistical challenges and secure optimal sourcing for specialized hardware. Our team credits EPICS in IEEE and funding from the IEEE Industry Applications Society for transforming our vision into reality. Their mentorship facilitated skill development in engineering and community outreach and demonstrated how classroom learning can translate to impactful societal benefit.
Finally, what messages would you like to share with other prospective EPICS in IEEE participants?
Gunasekaran: Participation in an EPICS in IEEE project provides a unique opportunity to create lasting social change while honing professional skills. By engaging wholeheartedly in the program, your work can empower those who need it most.
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