IIT Madras Research Park hosts‘EMPOWER 2022’

Chennai, October 2022: IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP), India’s first University-based Research Park and IIT Incubation Cell, India’s leading Deep-tech Start-up hub, is hosting ‘EMPOWER 2022’, India’s foremost Assistive Technology (AT) Conference, part of the 10 X initiative, from 13th October – 15th October 2022 at IIT Madras Research Park.

The 5th edition of EMPOWER 2022 was inaugurated by Mr. Chapal Khasnabis, Head (a.i) of the Access to Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Unit at World Health Organization, Mr. Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, Cyber Media Group and Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President – IIT Madras Research Park, IITM Incubation Cell & RTBI.

The 3-day conference aims to encourage and promote research and development of indigenous Assistive Technology (technology for people with disabilities and for senior citizens) and will bring together the brightest minds across industry, academia, start-ups and students to share their expertise, inspire individuals, and collaborate towards a stronger, innovation-driven AT ecosystem in India.

EMPOWER 2022 will feature a curated line-up of activities across the 3-day conference including expert talks by 20+ industry specialists in AT, 19 workshops carefully curated tobring in industry experts in AT to spur in-depth conversations and give participants a hands-on, immersive experience into AT challenges and opportunities. Designed with an overall theme of awareness of the AT landscape in India, each workshop covers a sleuth of topics ranging from augmentative alternative communication, tactile graphics to developing universal &customized assistive technology.

IITMRP’s 10X AT initiative has been termed as – Driving Affordable & Quality Assistive Technology (DAQAT). In line with this initiative following the inaugural ceremony, an online database of Indian startups in AT and an expansive AT startupexhibit (90 startups & innovators) will be unveiled.

Over 100+ AT start-ups & innovators from across India will come under one roof to exhibit their products and services. This will not only present a comprehensive view of the AT products available in the market but pave the way towards addressing the key factors: availability, affordability, and consumer awareness. EMPOWER 2022 will also host India’s first Assistive Technology awards by the AssisTech Foundation (ATF).

As part of the key activities of EMPOWER, a Student Design Challenge was conducted to contribute to the growing assistive technology sector in India and the Global South. A total of 12 finalists from 80 registered student teams were shortlisted to present in front of a jury panel. Select winning designs may also be considered for pre-incubation.

Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President – IIT Madras Research Park, IITM Incubation Cell & RTBI, said, “IIT Madras Research Park, as part of the 10X program is pursuing an ambitious vision to make India a global leader in Assistive Technology to enable inclusion for ‘People with Disabilities’ (PwD) and geriatrics, empowering them to live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives. India is a large market, and the volume of production can help bridge this gap given research & development and commercialization happens in India.”

“Tapping into the momentum that we will gain at this conference, we hope to accelerate our efforts towards making affordable, accessible, and quality indigenous AT products work by encouraging and incubating start-ups of this category. IIT Madras Research Park will also work on policies and facilitate donors who would like to support the vision and get the devices to people who cannot afford it,” he added.