Mysuru: Mysuru’s Excel Public School (EPS) students have emerged as finalists at ‘CBSE Skill Expo and Guidance Festival-2024’ for their inclusive mobility solution – Marvel Kart.

Developed by Ronith Chetan Raj and Uzair Arafath Shaik of grade nine, Marvel Kart aims at bringing convenience and ease of commute for people with disabilities. The students participated in the Bengaluru region of the  Regional Skill Expo & Guidance Festival and were shortlisted as one of the finalists.

The Finals is set to take place on Feb. 6, 2025, at Delhi Public School, Jodhpur, where 41 selected projects from 12 regions including Team EPS will get an opportunity to showcase their respective innovations.

 Research shows nearly one-third of people with disabilities lack access to public or alternative transportation. To understand the problem first-hand, the students of EPS conducted a survey among people with disability at JSS Polytechnic in Mysuru and the findings highlighted issues such as public spaces not designed to accommodate their needs, apathy from drivers and conductors, non-availability of wheelchair-friendly transportation facilities, absence of ramp and uneven surfaces hindering intracity travel.

Motivated by these challenges, the EPS students embarked on the development of a unique kart to facilitate seamless intracity travel for people with disability. The innovative idea received a positive initial response from 92% of people in the survey.

 Marvel Kart is a buggy for intracity travel that can be used within a 5-km radius in campuses, public spaces like exhibitions, zoos, tourist destinations and more. It employs a multi-pedalling system with an option to switch to automatic mode, giving users the freedom and autonomy to operate the vehicle.

The 4-seater buggy includes three seaters with hand pedals, and one for leg pedals, along with a driver’s seat and steering. It also has an automatic slider with a pinion-and-rack lifting mechanism for easy boarding and de-boarding of wheelchairs. 

The working prototype was developed by the students within 45 days under the guidance of their mentor, N. Santhosh Kumar.