Module 3 : Future of AT Industry in India

3.1 Introduction

  • In the recent years, the Assistive Technology industry in India has come alive, with a few passionate entrepreneurs building indigenous solutions at affordable costs for Persons with Disabilities.
  • NeoMotion is one among the well-known startups that is creating a buzz in the AT ecosystem for truly impacting the lives of thousands of users.

3.2 Challenges and opportunities

  • The Assistive Technology sector in India is at a stage where there is a wide gap between the needs and the existing solutions. It is still considered as a component of the health care sector, but the potential of AT solutions and the growing user landscape proves otherwise.
  • Today, the role of AT is beyond healthcare and rehabilitation and is progressively entering the mainstream market, helping to reduce the stigma associated with disabilities.
  • Ageing is also an additional factor that brings with it the reinforced need to developmore high-quality Assistive Aids. Thus, the scope of opportunities for budding entrepreneurs is truly immense. 

3.3 Enablers of an efficient AT ecosystem

  • The AT ecosystem in India is still emerging. There are very few players in the domain, and they are working in silos. Commercial entities in AT are a handful. To tackle these challenges and give a boost to the AT ecosystem, some organizations have emerged in the last decade and have broadened the discourse around disability and AT. They are also helping accelerate the growth of AT start-upsby providing them assistance in terms of mentoring, networking, funding, R&D, and marketing thereby laying the path to scale-up and reach the millions of PwDs in need of AT.
  • Here’s a recently held panel discussion between some AT enablers. Through this video, you will be introduced to the varied perspectives in the AT ecosystem and the immense opportunities to learn and solve long-pending problems for PwDs.

3.4 Road towards making India a leader in Assistive Technology

  • India has a largepopulation of Persons with Disabilities in the world. India is also home to the largest youth population in the world. By creating awareness about the problems faced by PwDs and inspiring youngsters to solve these problems, we can strengthen the AT ecosystem.
  • The goal will be to develop the assistive technology solutions desired by PwDs and then aim to make sure that everyone who needs them has access to them. In ensuring that R&D and commercialization takes place, increasing production can close the gap in the needs.
  • Check out this short talk by Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala on his vision forIITMRP’s 10X initiative of making India a leader in the worldin the domain of Assistive Technology.

Conclusion

The recurrent theme throughout this introductory course has been the uniqueness of the AT domain in comparison with others and the resultant distinct challenges and opportunities that ensue. Froma niche area, AT needs to be brought to the forefront and thousands of youngsters and innovators must be encouraged to participate and contribute towards solvinglong-pending issues in the domain. India is a large market, and the volume of production can help bridge the gapin the nascent AT ecosystem, given R&D and commercialization happens in India.

Towards this, IIT Madras Research Park is bringing startups, industry, academia, and students together across the Assistive Technology ecosystem to make affordable, accessible, and quality indigenous AT products. We hope that you will join us in this one-of-a-kind effort to stimulate the AT ecosystem, by building high-quality solutions that solve the needs of persons with disabilities, towards a more inclusive world.

Check out our website to know more about the AT programme at 10X, IITMRP: Assistive Technology .

Follow us for more interesting short courses in Assistive Technology, that will expand your knowledge about the existing solutions and the need for further innovations.