<h1>IIT Madras launches YD One, India's first indigenously developed precision-built mono-tube wheelchair weighing nine kilograms</h1> The Indian Institute of Technology Madras launched 'YD One,' India's first indigenously developed precision-built mono-tube rigid-frame wheelchair. Weighing just nine kilograms, it represents the country's lightest active wheelchair designed to international standards. The wheelchair features ultra-lightweight, precision-engineered construction using aerospace-grade materials, making it easy to lift, handle, and transport in vehicles. Each unit is fully customized for individual users' body measurements, posture, and daily mobility requirements. The project aims to transform wheelchair perception from a disability symbol to an independence enabler. The research team partnered with an incubated startup for local manufacturing to global benchmarks, making high-performance mobility accessible at reduced costs compared to expensive imports. Officials noted that approximately 15% of the global population experiences some form of disability, with numbers projected to reach 2.5 billion by 2058, highlighting the significance of this innovation for emerging markets.