<p>With more cities introducing bike ambulances, it is crucial they have lightweight stretchers to help transport the injured or distressed patients. Now, a stretcher tailor-made for bikes is in the making.</p>.<p>Two students at the Indian Institute of Science's Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing have developed a foldable stretcher for bike ambulances.</p>.<p>Designed as part of a course project by Vaibhav Goswami and Shantanu Singh, the stretcher can be folded compactly for a single person to carry. At about five kilograms, it is also the lightest available on the market.</p>.<p>"This is not made for any specific motorbike in mind and so it could fit pretty much any bike," said Goswami, a second-year Master of Designs student. "We've also made it easy to unfold."</p>.<p>Using a software, the duo determined that the stretcher - developing steel and a lighter material aluminium for sturdiness and lightweight - can hold up to 130 kilograms. They also like to reduce the weight by at least 1.5 kilograms.</p>.<p>"The stainless steel clamps at the folding points make the stretcher heavier. We'll rework on these joints to ensure the weight is reduced further. We'll also replace the nylon polyester material," Goswami said.</p>.<p>They are also considering patenting the design after taking a look at the products available in the market. "Most of them we saw weren't made for bike ambulances. Our idea is to make (the stretcher) easy to operate," he said.</p>.<p>While other stretchers cost over Rs 8,000, the students say their product would be priced Rs 5,000 since its production does not involve complex manufacturing or expensive material.<br /> </p>
<p>With more cities introducing bike ambulances, it is crucial they have lightweight stretchers to help transport the injured or distressed patients. Now, a stretcher tailor-made for bikes is in the making.</p>.<p>Two students at the Indian Institute of Science's Centre for Product Design and Manufacturing have developed a foldable stretcher for bike ambulances.</p>.<p>Designed as part of a course project by Vaibhav Goswami and Shantanu Singh, the stretcher can be folded compactly for a single person to carry. At about five kilograms, it is also the lightest available on the market.</p>.<p>"This is not made for any specific motorbike in mind and so it could fit pretty much any bike," said Goswami, a second-year Master of Designs student. "We've also made it easy to unfold."</p>.<p>Using a software, the duo determined that the stretcher - developing steel and a lighter material aluminium for sturdiness and lightweight - can hold up to 130 kilograms. They also like to reduce the weight by at least 1.5 kilograms.</p>.<p>"The stainless steel clamps at the folding points make the stretcher heavier. We'll rework on these joints to ensure the weight is reduced further. We'll also replace the nylon polyester material," Goswami said.</p>.<p>They are also considering patenting the design after taking a look at the products available in the market. "Most of them we saw weren't made for bike ambulances. Our idea is to make (the stretcher) easy to operate," he said.</p>.<p>While other stretchers cost over Rs 8,000, the students say their product would be priced Rs 5,000 since its production does not involve complex manufacturing or expensive material.<br /> </p>