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Assistive Tech Moves From Hospitals To Homes And Insta, As Indians Embrace Comfort
Assistive Tech Moves From Hospitals To Homes And Insta, As Indians Embrace Comfort
For years, mobility aids carried an unspoken stigma, like a wheelchair implied dependency, orthotic insoles were something a doctor prescribed after an injury, and cervical pillows were tucked away as medical equipment, not bedroom essentials. But today, the landscape of mobility aids is shifting. What was once categorised as ‘assistive technology' is finding a new home in the broader world of wellness and lifestyle, reframed as tools that help anyone live, move, and rest better.
The stats reveal the scale of this change. Arif Khan, co-founder and COO, Frido, shares, “India's ageing curve is steepening faster than many realise. The number of Indians above the age of 60 is currently around 11% and is expected to nearly double to 20% by 2050, translating into more than 300 million seniors in the country (Statista, Education Post). An older population inevitably demands more support for movement, balance, and comfort, but unlike the past, these solutions are being embraced not as medical afterthoughts, but as
proactive lifestyle choices."
This rebranding of assistive technology is also visible in the market. Take the Indian wheelchair industry for example – it was valued at about USD 176 million in 2024, with projections to cross USD 330 million by 2033 (IMARC Group). The broader assistive devices category, which includes mobility aids, hearing, and self-care products, is on track to leap from USD 716 million in 2023 to more than USD 2.7 billion by 2030 (NextMSC). These aren't niche medical sales anymore; they represent a consumer market where comfort, independence, and wellness converge.
Another apt example is orthotic insoles. Arif says, “They were once limited to diabetics or patients recovering from an injury, but now they are sold in malls and online marketplaces as everyday comfort products. In a country where millions of workers spend hours on hard factory floors, in delivery shifts, or during long commutes, an insole is no longer an aid for the unwell but a preventative solution for the healthy."
Cervical and ergonomic pillows are seeing the same transformation. “The rise of the wellness economy, spanning yoga, nutrition, supplements, and sleep products, has made it natural for consumers to see pillows not as ‘medical needs' but as an essential investment in posture and rest," says Arif. The sleep aid market in India itself was valued at around USD 308 million in 2024, and is projected to more than double within a decade (IMARC Group).
Beyond mobility aids and pillows, modern assistive solutions such as ergonomic wheelchairs,
lightweight walkers and compact mobility scooters are also becoming part of everyday Indian households. These products not only restore independence but also bring comfort and dignity to daily routines, highlighting a broader lifestyle shift where people are proactively choosing technologies that reduce strain, enhance safety, and support long-term well-being.
Part of this shift is also cultural. Younger Indians are more open to products that signal self-care rather than sickness. An ergonomic pillow is no more embarrassing to buy than a yoga mat. A lightweight, stylish wheelchair like IIT-Madras's recently launched YD One, weighing just 8.5 kg, is being positioned as a lifestyle product designed for independence, not merely a medical necessity. Technology and design have stepped in to make products aspirational, aligning them with dignity and freedom rather than stigma.
Arif says, “Policy, too, has quietly played a role, with several assistive devices, including orthopaedic appliances, falling under concessional GST brackets, making them more accessible. Schemes like the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana, which distributes walking sticks, walkers, and wheelchairs to seniors in need, normalise their role in everyday life. When the state treats these products as essentials, society is more likely to view them as such."
The result is a broader reframing: from treatment to prevention, from dependence to performance.
What is unfolding, then, is not just a market trend but a cultural upgrade. As India grows older, wealthier, and more wellness-oriented, assistive technology is moving from hospital corridors into our homes, offices, and even Instagram feeds. This is the future: a quiet normalisation that allows everyone, regardless of age, to move, work, and live with greater dignity and comfort.
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Source: News18
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Aries: You might feel a shift around your heart today. If you are single, a small gesture or moment of surprise could brighten your day, offering you fresh hope for love. Let it come naturally. If you are in a relationship, a quiet connection or a shared smile might be a good reminder of the reason
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