IIT Delhi partners with Antara Senior Care to design mobility-aid products for senior citizens

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) has signed an agreement with Antara, a $4 billion Max group company that provides integrated lifestyle and lifecare solutions for seniors, to collaborate on developing mobility-aid products for seniors.

According to Antara, India's life expectancy has increased significantly in recent decades as a result of improved living circumstances and medical advances. As a result, the proportion and size of the old population have constantly increased. Mobility-related limitations are practically certain after reaching a certain age, followed by hearing and visual impairments.

Cognitive improvement games

Recognizing these challenges, Antara has partnered with the Department of Design at IIT Delhi on research and product development. This collaboration will include varied projects, ranging from mobility-assisting physical devices to cognitive improvement games targeted at delaying the development of dementia.

Knowledge transfer, lab sharing

The partnership involves transfer of knowledge, research consulting, EDPs, and lab sharing. It focuses on creation of inclusive design solutions to improve the safety, independence, cognition, and communication of the general geriatric population. One such project is creating a walking aid for seniors.

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Commenting on the collaboration, Ishaan Khanna, CEO, Antara Assisted Care Services, said, “For Antara, this association is the natural progression towards offering comprehensive, quality solutions for seniors as it incorporates our learnings over the past decade. As the only integrated service provider for senior care, we have continuously evolved to accommodate the ever-changing needs of the seniors in India. This collaboration with IIT Delhi will help us leverage technology and R&D to co-create innovative relevant solutions to address the lifestyle and life care needs of seniors, empowering them to lead a life of dignity and autonomy.”

Sabyasachi Paldas, department of design, IIT Delhi, said, “There is a need to focus on design of products and built environments that reduce constraints for seniors to participate in social and productive activities. This association hopes to build on the opportunities an aging population provides to help them lead independent and fulfilling lives.”