Business Remedies | Rajshree Upadhyaya | NeoMotion’s story began within the innovation-driven environment of IIT Madras, where the founders immersed themselves in understanding the daily realities of wheelchair users in India. Conversations with hundreds of individuals revealed a deep and persistent frustration: mass-produced, generic wheelchairs often left users confined to their homes, stripped of comfort, dignity, and true independence. This eye-opening insight ignited a mission to create mobility solutions that would go beyond mere transportation, empowering people to lead fuller, more autonomous lives.
From this mission came NeoFly, a wheelchair built around the principle of personalization. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, each NeoFly is customised with around 18 adjustment options to suit body measurements, posture requirements, and the demands of Indian terrain. Its rigid frame ensures stability, while ergonomic push rims and a compact design make it easier to navigate tight spaces and travel longer distances with less effort. The result is not just enhanced comfort but also a renewed sense of self-reliance for its users.
To carry that independence beyond the home, NeoMotion engineered NeoBolt, a motorised attachment that can be clipped onto a NeoFly in seconds, transforming it into a road-ready mobility vehicle. Powered by a robust BLDC hub motor and a swappable lithium battery, NeoBolt comes equipped with headlights, mirrors, and other safety features, offering a range of about 25 kilometres on a single charge. Costing just around Rs. 0.20 per kilometre to operate, it provides a practical, affordable bridge between manual wheelchairs and expensive powered alternatives, making outdoor travel far more accessible.
When NeoMotion appeared on Shark Tank India, the founders brought not only their products but also a compelling vision of mobility with dignity. Their pitch resonated for its blend of technical innovation and human impact, though it also drew debate over valuation. Some Sharks admired the mission and engineering, while others felt the pricing and projections needed to reflect greater accessibility. The founders stood firm in their belief that their work carried both commercial and social value, sparking discussions on balancing ambition with market realities. Beyond the limelight, NeoMotion embedded social impact into its business model. In 2022, it launched the “Livelihood on Wheels” program, training and onboarding wheelchair users equipped with NeoFly and NeoBolt as delivery partners for companies like Zomato and Amazon. This initiative removed employment barriers and created sustainable income opportunities, enabling hundreds of users to work independently. By 2024, more than 5,000 people had benefited from NeoMotion’s solutions, with many turning mobility into a pathway for financial empowerment.
Much of NeoMotion’s credibility stems from its deep academic and research roots. The company continues to be guided by Professor Sujatha Srinivasan at IIT Madras, whose expertise in affordable assistive technology has been instrumental in shaping its philosophy. Remaining closely connected to its research incubator, NeoMotion has managed to maintain the precision and integrity of its designs while steadily expanding its reach.
What began as an idea born from empathy has evolved into a portfolio of products designed to restore independence and dignity, while also creating avenues for livelihood and inclusion. NeoMotion is not simply in the business of selling wheelchairs; it is changing perceptions of mobility and redefining what inclusion means in everyday life. As the company looks ahead, its greatest challenge will be to make these transformative devices financially viable across India, all while holding on to the human-centred approach that has defined its journey so far.
Written & Edited By:
Rajshree Upadhyaya
