Innovator gets ready with wheelchair made of weed

While a regular wheelchair made of metal and plastic weighs 22 kg and costs Rs 6,000, the eco-friendly chair Senthil Kumar developed weighs 13 kg and costs only Rs 1,500.

The innovator, who runs Gnana Business Service, an organisation in Chidambaram that trains women to make these wheelchairs and other furniture, said he has developed this to support 6.5 million physically-challenged people in the country using wheelchairs.

“Not many employers provide job opportunities easily to those who are unable to use their limbs. So many disabled people are sitting at home idly without making use of their mental capability. I want to play a role in bringing a change to this scenario,” he said, and added, “We can cite Stephen Hawking as an example. The aid of a functional wheelchair has helped him to achieve miraculous things that have impacted the whole world.” He has partnered with IIT Kanpur to further innovate the low-cost wheelchair.

“I want to use Artificial Intelligence practices to lend these wheelchairs automated functions that help the users,” he said.

Using the stems of a perennial flowering plant/shrub called Lantana camera – popularly known for being one of the 10 worst weeds in the world and commonly found in India – the wheelchair also incorporates sustainable practices. 

“This weed, found in abundance in the country, is normally rendered useless. However, it can be used in building these plant-based wheelchairs that remain sturdy for over 20 years,” he said.

Using this plant, Senthil also builds furniture, sports quipments and kitchenware like knife handles in a self-professed effort to get the world rid of plastic.