Thu Jul 17 04:09:06 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

IIT Madras, in collaboration with THRYV Mobility, has launched the YD One, touted as India’s lightest active rigid-frame wheelchair. Weighing just 8.5 kilograms, this customizable device is made from aerospace-grade material and designed for community use, addressing the limitations of heavier, hospital-grade wheelchairs. The launch, which included a CSR initiative providing wheelchairs to para-athletes, highlights the importance of independence and accessibility for persons with disabilities. Experts emphasized the complex engineering behind the seemingly simple design and the role of organizations like ICMR in supporting assistive technology development in India.

**News Article:**

**IIT Madras Unveils India’s Lightest Active Wheelchair, YD One**

**CHENNAI, July 17, 2025** – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched YD One, a groundbreaking wheelchair designed to enhance the mobility and independence of people with disabilities. The YD One, developed in collaboration with THRYV Mobility, an IIT Madras incubated startup, is being hailed as India’s lightest active rigid-frame wheelchair, weighing just 8.5 kilograms.

The innovative device, made from aerospace-grade material, features a minimalist monoframe design and is available in 14 colours. Its design allows it to be fully customised to fit users between 13 and 18 inches. According to Justin Jesudas, founder and CEO of THRYV Mobility, the YD One underwent rigorous testing, proving its durability and reliability.

“Most wheelchairs on the market are too heavy and unsuitable for community use,” Jesudas, a wheelchair user himself, explained. “We wanted to change that narrative and make this population more visible.”

The launch included a CSR initiative by Trimble, a Silicon Valley based industrial technology company, providing YD One wheelchairs to twenty beneficiaries, including para-athletes. These individuals reported enhanced portability, maneuverability, and the ability to undertake longer journeys.

Surgeon Vice Admiral Anupam Kapur, Director General, Hospital Services (Armed Forces), speaking at the event, underscored the importance of independence for individuals with disabilities, highlighting its social, economic, and technological dimensions.

V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, emphasized the complex engineering involved in developing the YD One, which required deep application of mathematics, physics, mechanical engineering, and material sciences.

Ravinder Singh, a scientist with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), outlined ICMR’s commitment to supporting assistive technology development and improving accessibility and affordability of assistive products across India.

The YD One represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and accessible society for persons with disabilities.

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