This Boy From Bihar Made A Voice Controlled Wheelchair Inspired From Stephen Hawking

Our country isn’t devoid of ingenious minds, people who want to make a difference, and those who live to serve the community. One such person is Ashutosh Prakash, a final semester student at the Birla Institute of Technology, Patna.

Ashutosh has designed a wheelchair which can be controlled entirely by voice commands, after taking inspiration from the same kind used by acclaimed scientist Dr. Stephen Hawking.

“My grandfather hates it when somebody tries to help him with his daily chores or holds his hand to help him walk. I am sure there are many more like him. I wanted to do something for them.”

The wheelchair is battery operated and can be controlled by giving it voice commands. Ashutosh said he built it for his grandfather who is over 80 years old.

 

Ashutosh’s wheelchair is fitted with a motor, battery to run the vehicle, microprocessors to understand the commands, and a voice processor to accept voice commands.

While Ashutosh was interning at the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna, he came upon this idea, his guide helped him materialise his idea.

 

The wheelchair can accept simple commands like left, right, forward, and reverse, and even brakes when it senses an uneven surface or an approaching staircase. The wheelchair he designed cost him just ₹ 20,000 and can support 80 kg. of weight.

Ashutosh says he intends to only improve the lives of those in need and doesn’t seek to make any profit out of this project of his. He has even kept the design open-ended so that other people can come forward to improve it.

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News source: Hindustan Times
Cover image sources: 1 & 2