Mysuru, India: Mysuru’s Excel Public School (EPS) students emerge as finalists at the ‘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 Bangalore region of the Regional Skill Expo & Guidance Festival and shortlisted as one of the finalists. The culmination event is set to take place on February 6, 2025, at Delhi Public School, Jodhpur, where 41 selected projects from the 12 regions including team EPS will get an opportunity to showcase their respective innovations.
Public transportation remains a challenge for people with disabilities. 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 Excel Public conducted a survey among people with disability at JSS Polytechnic in Mysore 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 students embarked on the development of a unique kart to facilitate seamless intracity travel exclusively for people with disability. The innovative idea received a positive initial response from 92% of people who participated in the survey.
Marvel Kart is essentially a buggy for intracity travel that can be used within a 5km radius in campuses, public spaces like exhibitions, zoos, tourist destinations and more. It employs a multi-pedaling 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, Mr. Santhosh Kumar N.
Talking about their experience in developing Marvel Kart, the students Ronith Chetan Raj and Uzair Arafath Shaik from Excel Public School said, “Working together on the Marvel Kart project has been an incredible journey for our team. It gave us the opportunity to embrace group work culture, share and accept ideas, and collaborate meaningfully with one another. We are deeply thankful to our school and teachers for their unwavering support, encouragement, and confidence in us, which played a vital role in helping us reach the national level. We truly hope we get to commercialise our innovation and see it placed on rent in stands surrounding the city areas. We wish to see people with disabilities use the Marvel Kart as a shared car to get to work, go shopping, visit tourist destinations within the city, get to their college etc like any other individuals.”
Commenting on the achievement of the students, Mathew K G, Principal, Excel Public School said, “Infrastructure gaps disproportionately impact people with disabilities, limiting their mobility and independence. We are extremely proud of the Marvel Kart innovation by our students, Ronith and Uzair. It reflects their deep commitment to foster inclusivity, providing a dignified, independent mode of transport for individuals with disabilities, while allowing them to travel with their friends and peer group. This model certainly poses potential for further refinement and transformative impact.”
Mr. Sudhanva, MD & CEO of Excel Group said, “We are truly proud of our students for coming-up with a thoughtful project addressing the issues faced by people with disability. This achievement reflects the vision we hold dear— empowering young minds towards a progressive and humane society. The students have once again proven their commitment to the society.”
Excel Public School submitted a total of three projects. Besides Marvel Kart, the other two projects were 1) Spotlight, an app that enables people to practice public speaking in VR. The app paired with an affordable Google cardboard headset, monitors head and stage movement, speed of speech to offer enhanced self-improvement without external assistance. 2) Klassic Pay, a project tailored for seniors and the digitally inexperienced to facilitate UPI app usage. Out of the three, Marvel Kart made it to the finals and will be on display at the Expo on February 6, 2025, at Delhi Public School, Vyas Campus, Jodhpur. The students will be accompanied by their Teacher, Sanjay S Vasist at the culmination event.
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