At TRUEAssistive Technology, we spend a lot of time listening -- to seniors, to caregivers, and to families who quietly manage mobility challenges every day. One thing comes up again and again: travel itself isn't the real issue. Getting into the car is.
For many older adults or people with limited mobility, entering a vehicle can be uncomfortable, awkward, and sometimes painful. It's rarely spoken about openly, but it affects confidence, independence, and the willingness to step out.
That understanding is what led to our collaboration with Maruti Suzuki, bringing an assistive swivel seat to the WagonR, one of India's most familiar and widely used cars.
Making the WagonR Easier to Get Into
The swivel seat is a simple idea -- but one that makes a meaningful difference.
In a standard car, passengers often need to bend, twist, and lower themselves into the seat. For someone with knee pain, hip stiffness, balance issues, or reduced strength, this movement can be difficult and sometimes unsafe.
With the swivel seat, the experience changes completely. When the door opens, the seat gently rotates outward. The passenger can sit down in a natural, upright position, without twisting or strain. Once seated, the seat smoothly turns back inside the car.
The movement is controlled, stable, and designed to feel reassuring throughout.
Short video placement here
TRUEAssistive Technology swivel seat available on the Maruti Suzuki WagonR.
(Placing the short video beside this section helps readers immediately understand how the seat works in real life.)
Seeing the seat in action often explains more than words ever can -- not just for users, but also for family members and caregivers who assist them.
For more details about the WagonR and its features, you can visit Maruti Suzuki's official WagonR page. While downloading the brochure, the swivel seat information can be found under WagonR features: Explore Maruti Suzuki WagonR features
Why the WagonR Was the Right Choice
The WagonR has long been known for its tall seating position, generous headroom, and easy visibility. These qualities already make it more comfortable than many compact cars.
By integrating the swivel seat into this platform, accessibility becomes part of a car people already trust and use every day. It doesn't feel like a "special vehicle" or a separate category. It feels familiar.
And that familiarity matters. Dignity often comes from not feeling different.
How This Collaboration Took Shape
This solution was developed through Maruti Suzuki's Startup Incubation Program with NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore, where our teams worked closely with Maruti Suzuki's R&D and engineering teams.
The focus from day one was practical use -- not innovation for its own sake. Every discussion came back to the end user:
- Will this feel stable for an older passenger?
- Can it be operated easily and safely?
- Can it be installed without altering the car's structure?
Those questions shaped the final solution.
Maruti Suzuki officially announced this initiative as part of its commitment to inclusive mobility, highlighting how assistive technology can be integrated into mainstream vehicles. You can read more about the collaboration in Maruti Suzuki's official press release here: Read official press release about WagonR Swivel Seat initiative
Practical, Safe, and Ready for Everyday Use
The swivel seat is available as a retrofit kit at Maruti Suzuki ARENA dealerships. It can be installed in new WagonR vehicles or fitted into existing ones, without modifying the car's core structure or systems.
The kit has been tested at ARAI, meets required safety standards, and comes with a 3-year warranty. It's designed not just to function -- but to last through everyday use.
Where It's Available Now
The swivel seat is currently offered at over 200 ARENA dealerships across 11 cities as part of a pilot rollout. Based on feedback and real-world usage, Maruti Suzuki plans to expand availability further.
This phased approach helps ensure the solution continues to meet real needs -- not just expectations on paper.
Looking Ahead
For us at TRUEAssistive Technology, this collaboration represents something larger than a single feature. It shows that assistive design can be part of everyday mobility, not something separate or specialised.
When large manufacturers and assistive technology companies work together with empathy and intent, the result isn't just better engineering -- it's confidence, comfort, and independence for thousands of families.
And that's a direction worth driving toward.