The Able Company, incubated at IIT Madras, stands as a force of innovation, redefining what independence can mean for people with limited hand mobility. Its breakthrough product, Hands-On, is a brilliantly engineered, patent-protected adaptive device that allows users to swap attachments for eating, grooming, and everyday tasks without batteries, complexity, or friction.
The company’s mission emerged from a deeply personal moment: an encounter with a young girl whose rare hand deformity reshaped its purpose. Since then, The Able Company has pursued a bold, universal goal: to design tools that not only assist but elevate the human experience. Every solution they build is thoughtfully crafted, affordable, and devoted to restoring the simple yet profound joy of doing things independently.
Serving children, adults, prosthetic users, and individuals recovering with plastered hands, The Able Company delivers dignity, confidence, and possibility, one smart, empowering device at a time.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World at the Samarth India Conclave and Expo 2025, hosted by Times Network and Hyundai, Kanan Doshi, Founder, The Able Company, explains how the company is transforming accessibility and independence for people with hand disabilities. She discusses the range of tools included in the Hands-On kit, outlines the product’s market readiness and standard pricing, and highlights the additional tools planned for future release.
Here are the key takeaways from her compelling conversation.
Q: How is The Able Company transforming accessibility and independence for people with hand disabilities?
A: People with hand disabilities, whether they have no hand, use a prosthetic, or have limited functional movement, can simply wear the device on their arm. It immediately supports their grip and allows them to attach a range of accessories such as a spoon, fork, toothbrush, comb, or even a multi-tool designed for writing. As a result, one device enables true multitasking with a single hand.
Instead of relying on multiple adaptive tools for different tasks, users can depend on one versatile, multitasking handle that accommodates interchangeable attachments based on their needs. We also design customized accessories and develop livelihood-oriented tools, ensuring that individuals with hand disabilities can not only manage daily activities independently but also pursue financial independence with confidence.
Q: What is the current number of tools or attachments that your kit supports for users with hand disabilities?
A: The current kit includes five essential tools; however, we customize additional attachments based on each user’s specific needs. For example, if someone requires a knife, we design and deliver a tailored knife attachment. Similarly, if a user needs a peeler, we create one precisely to their requirements.
Q: How safe is it for a person with hand disabilities to use a knife?
A: First, the tool is intended for informed users and is not designed for unsupervised use, especially by children. Moreover, users will not handle the knife attachment casually or as a toy. As a result, the device remains safe, and individuals can use it confidently without risk of injury.
Q: In terms of writing support, how does this toolkit help people who face challenges with handwriting?
A: In our trials, individuals with spinal cord injuries, who already possess writing skills, were able to write immediately after wearing the device. They may need a bit of practice to adjust, but they quickly manage it. However, older adults often require more practice because hand tremors or muscle weakness can alter their signatures, which then creates challenges in banks or official settings.
With this device, they can sign documents more steadily and handle simple tasks, like picking up items in a restaurant, without embarrassment. This improves their social confidence. Ultimately, as people age and physical limitations begin to reduce their quality of life, our tools help them maintain independence, dignity, and everyday functionality.
Q: Are your products fully ready for the market, and what are the standard pricing details for each?
A: Yes, all these tools are now available in the market. Our primary kit, which includes a spoon, a fork, a multi-tool, a comb, and a set of two brushes, is priced at ₹9,500. For those who prefer a smaller option, we also offer a compact version with any two accessories for ₹6,000.
Q: What kind of response are you receiving from the market?
A: We are only a year old, and this has been our first year of active marketing. The response has been slow but steady, and it continues to grow with each passing month.
Q: Do you plan to add more tools to the kit you’ve developed?
A: Yes, we are actively developing a wide range of livelihood-focused accessories for people with disabilities. We are currently collaborating with the SELCO Foundation, which works extensively in rural Northern Karnataka. Through this partnership, we have already created several livelihood tools, including a spice-grinding machine, a sugarcane-juice apparatus, and roti-making machines. We continue to refine these solutions, and we are eager to develop many more tools that support sustainable income generation for individuals with disabilities.
1 Comment
It’s very good
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