A young engineer from Hyderabad is transforming the landscape of assistive technology in India. Pranav Vempati, the Founder and CEO of startup Makers Hive, has led the development of KalArm, heralded as India’s first fully functional and affordable bionic hand, set to drastically improve the lives of differently-abled individuals.
Named in honor of former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the KalArm is a game-changer primarily due to its accessible price point. While advanced global bionic arms can cost upwards of ₹25 lakh to ₹60 lakh, Makers Hive has positioned the KalArm at a significantly lower cost, making high-end prosthetic technology affordable for a much larger population. Initial price estimates put it in the range of ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, making it up to ten times more affordable than international alternatives.
The indigenous, 3D-printed prosthetic is designed for people with upper-limb, below-elbow amputations and is packed with advanced features:
- Myoelectric Control: It uses EMG (Electromyography) sensors to read muscle signals from the user’s forearm, translating them into intuitive hand movements.
- Versatile Grips: The KalArm offers 18 pre-defined grip patterns (with options for 6 custom grips), allowing users to perform a wide range of daily tasks, from holding a pen to lifting everyday objects.
- High Strength: It boasts a lifting capacity of up to 8 kilograms (some sources suggest up to 20kg), adding significant functionality for users.
- Smart Integration: The device is supported by a mobile application, KalAssist, which allows users to monitor the arm’s performance, battery health, and receive over-the-air firmware updates.
- Customization: The hand features a tailor-made forearm socket and customizable color panels, prioritizing both function and personal aesthetics.
Pranav Vempati, along with co-founders Harsha Reddy Ponguleti and Suren Marumamula, established Makers Hive in 2018 with a mission to solve real-world problems through technology. The launch of the KalArm is a monumental step toward their motto: transforming persons with amputations from “Being Disabled to Being Futuristically Abled.” The Hyderabad-based startup has successfully raised funding and is now focused on scaling its manufacturing to meet the high demand across India and beyond.
