Locomo-WC is Low Cost Motorized Wheelchair
Q. What is Locomo-WC?- Published on 29 Jan 16a. High speed train
b. Wheelchair
c. New public transport system
d. Bicycle
ANSWER: Wheelchair
A low cost motorized wheelchair called Locomo-WC is developed for Indian persons with disabilities. The Wheel Chair was developed by the Ministry of Science & Technology under the Department of Biotechnology, (DBT)’s “Make-in-India initiative”. The motorized wheelchair originally designed at the Human Engineering Research Lab, University of Pittsburg under the joint international collaborative program of DBT and USA government has been completely remodeled to suit Indian conditions. The Medical Director & Chief of Spine Service Dr. H S Chhabra and Mr. Nekram Upadhaya at ISIC had further worked on the Wheel Chair to remodel it to face the dual challenges of uneven terrain in rural India and prohibitive costs which limits the accessibility of the wheelchairs available in the market. Estimated cost of LOCOMO would be around Rs 45,000 as compared to the imported motorized wheelchair which could cost Rs 1.5 lakhs. The cost again is expected to come down with mass production and tax exemptions. The uniqueness of LOCOMO lies in its suspension system with linear links used to make all four wheels operate independently to make it suitable to handle uneven terrain also. LOCOMO could withstand rugged conditions and at the same time is also comfortable easy to manipulate and is available at an affordable cost. It is also light weight, simple to handle, easy to fold and reassemble. LOCOMO will also make people with disability as independent as possible, leading to improved quality of life, social relationships and physical health.
Unique features of LOCOMO include: Joystick controlling system in 360 degree directions, speed 8-10 km/hr, battery backup up to 15-20 km in one charge, takes about 3 hours to get it fully charged, passed ISO 7176 testing of wheelchair standards.
