MS 5200 ASSIGNMENT 1

1. List down the name of your team members.

(i) Adithya V S

(ii) Shashank Vadrangi

(iii) Ashish Mohan Sharma

(iv) Muhammed Aslam Sharief.

2. In 250 words, describe the opportunity that you plan to tackle.NOTE: DO NOT
PROPOSE A SOLUTION. JUST IDENTIFY THE NEED THAT YOU PLAN TO
SOLVE

It is common knowledge that lack of suitable transport equipment during medical

emergencies has proven fatal to the critically injured.

However, even the simplest of medical emergency transport equipment available

today, such as portable and collapsible stretchers, chairs etc., occupy considerable
space and mass and therefore cannot be stowed on the person of a rescuer all the
time and therefore need to be first transported to the spot of need, in order to
carryout the rescue operation, which entails severe time delays and logistical and
operational lapses/risks.

The bundle-and-drag or package-and-move methods used by fire-fighters or

military personnel can only be employed over a very short distance, since it is
neither feasible nor safe to drag a human over long distances especially over
uneven or wet terrain - and which entail the total engagement of at least one arm
of the rescuer, besides engaging his focus to keep his balance and pace etc., which
compromise the rescuers safety as well, in the incendiary/combat arena.

Another drawback in most of today’s emergency transport equipment is their

shape, size, weight, dimensions and complexity that render them unwieldy for a
single man to handle; And where the injured are to be air-lifted, most ground
equipment are incompatible with airlifting gear.
 There is therefore an urgent as well as long felt need for a cost-effective,
portable, collapsible apparatus, system and method/s for simple and quick, single-
handed, hands-free, manual simultaneous transport and transfer of multiple
payloads including humans, with minimal effort, that is light and stow-able on
the person of the rescuer.

3. Which of the 8 Opportunity Categories (Slide 10) does your opportunity fall under?

a. Adds Value

b. Customisation

c. Increases Reach

4. What is the trend and the discontinuity that relates to your opportunity? Justify with
data and research.

Our product fits into the trends of the current market. The need in the current market
is to get more work done, quicker and with lower number of people. In any military or
disaster management situation the speed and easiness of evacuation is being valued.
Hence our product would not only increase the speed, easiness of use and transport of
patients it would also reduce the manpower required for transportation. Hence fitting
into the general trend of the market today.

Our product is a discontinuity in the market from a technology standpoint. We are

introducing a technologically advanced, user friendly design that caters to the need of
the hour - which is quicker and easier work with lesser manpower.

PROBLEMS / CONSTRAINTS WITH STRETCHERS IN VOGUE 

• Not fully Collapsible – hence unwieldy

• Loading & securing is time consuming

High risk of flipping over during transport

• Transport over rough terrain is cumbersome

• Bumps & vibration cause injury during transport

 Requires at least two rescuers, their hands not free

• Cannot be dragged over rough terrain

• Specialised stretchers needed for water rescue

Strapping to secure, is time consuming

• Combat rescuers’ engaged hand/s render them unsafe

• Airlifting is cumbersome and time consuming

Device too big to be stowed on rescuers’ person

Innocentive.com, a global platform that invites solutions for real-life problems from
seekers (A Military organisation in this case) had sought solutions to address this
problem.

5. Why do you think this problem can be solved (Note: I am not asking you to solve the
problem. I am just asking you to prove that there is enough knowledge that exists out
there that can help you design an effective solution for the problem)?

It is possible to customise known technology to cater to this problem by systematically

defining the constraints and then addressing them individually and holistically. The
structural and mechanical engineering aspects of this particular product has been
tried out and proven successful in other products. Hence this problem involves
incorporating known and proven technologies.

6. Who are your customers? Justify with data or evidence why this is important to them?

(i) Military organisations

(ii) Disaster management establishments

(iii) Hospitals

A military organisation or disaster management situation would require this technology as in

a war scenario, not only is it important that an injured person be transported quickly, it is
important that it be done with as minimum resources as possible and with as minimum effort
as possible. This is what we aim to achieve with the product being developed.
7. Will you be able to make money out of this venture? Justify

Yes, we reasonably believe that Military organisations, Disaster management

establishments, Hospitals, etc., in India and abroad would be keen to adopt
this technology, which can be licensed to them for a reasonable royalty.

8. Is the overall context favourable for your venture? Justify with data and research.

Yes, because with the fast pace and complexities of civilised life, it is not
uncommon to meet situations of emergency, both in military and civil life,
wherein an acute shortage of time, suitable equipment and additional hands
(manpower), tell on the quality of the operation to rescue the critically injured.

However, even the simplest of medical emergency transport equipment available

today, such as portable and collapsible stretchers, chairs etc., occupy considerable
space and mass and therefore cannot be stowed on the person of a rescuer all the
time and therefore need to be first transported to the spot of need, in order to
carryout the transport of the injured/deceased, which entails severe time delays
and logistical and operational lapses/risks.

9. Does your team possess the necessary entrepreneurial, technical and business skills to
pull this off? Describe why you think your team can succeed. Point out individual
skills and experiences if possible.

Our team comprises technically sound personnel who can prototype, test and
customise the solution to suit suit various target user groups and situations. One of
our team members is trained in areas of securing the Intellectual Property which can
be Licensed out to ensure a steady revenue stream. There are also members who have
expertise in mechanical and structural element engineering who can engineer the
product as per requirements.
10. Can you attract the necessary resources required for your venture? Justify

Yes, in the first phase, we propose to build the prototype and then approach
organisations such as the DRDO, Fire services of various states in the country.At a
later date we propose to approach similar organisations outside India.