As a science and technology development institution, higher education is required to carry out research that is innovative and relevant to the needs and becomes a solution to problems that exist in society. Pancasila University has been innovating wheelchair beta prototypes for disabilities, especially cerebral palsy. Innovation is addressing the core problems of enhanced convenience and security for disabilities.

The Head of the Matching Fund Team at Universitas Pancasila, Dwi Rahmalina, elaborates that the manual wheelchair, for now, has not been equipped with assistive technology, so this innovation is a good choice for a lightweight wheelchair. Dwi Rahmalina states that this beta prototype wheelchair is identical to a manual one, but it has assistive technology installed, including pedals that can propel the chair, adjustable headrests and footrests, and a seat stopper.

The National Committee for Disabilities, the Window Association for People with Cerebral Palsy, and the Foundation for the Development of Children with Disabilities (YPAC) played a significant role in the initial discussion process, all contributing to and supporting the realization of this wheelchair beta prototype innovation. According to Dwi, his team was able to learn more about the demands of people with disabilities through this debate, resulting in the creation of functional goods with a high utility value.

The development of innovation receives funding support from the Matching Fund Kedaireka program. The program is known as a superior fund by Diktiristek Kemendikbud. Through the Kedaireka platform, Diktiristek offers funds to university faculty (insan perguruan tinggi) who work with industry partners.

Collaboration with PT. Mega Andalan Kalasan (PT MAK) has enabled Dwi and her team to thrive on the Matching Fund 2022 funding in the field of health independence. She admitted that coordination within PT MAK began at the beginning of the initial product development idea. PT MAK works on manufacturing parts, and as a medical equipment industry company, it has exported various medical device products.

Dwi expects that the Kedaireka Matching Fund program will continue each year because it has produced many advantages for the community, academics, and numerous innovations by higher education institutions in Indonesia. For the lecturers, it can help in implementing abilities, competencies, and skills off-campus. Not only that, students can acquire skills and knowledge in the industrial world.

Dwi and her team are not completely satisfied, despite developing a high-value wheelchair innovation for the healthcare industry. They remain very motivated to continue creating and presenting new cutting-edge ideas that can address societal health issues. Dwi added that the team was working on developing a wheelchair beta prototype so that it could be used right away, and the larger community would promptly receive its benefits.