VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Jnana Sangama, Belagavi – 590018
A Mini Project Report
on
“SMART SOLUTIONS FOR BLIND MOBILITY”
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the award of degree of
BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
IN
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING
Submitted by
A MOHAMMED AUDIL (1AM20EC001)
BOOPATHY P (1AM20EC018)
DILIP KUMAR K (1AM20EC025)
Under the guidance of
Dr. USHA RANI B
Assistant professor
Dept. of ECE
AMCEC,Bengaluru
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
AMC ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Approved by AICTE, Permanently Affiliated to VTU, Belagavi, Accredited by NAAC & NBA
18th KM, Bannerghatta Main Road, Bengaluru – 560 083
2020-2021
AMC ENGINEERING COLLEGE
Affiliated to VTU, Belagavi, Approved by AICTE, Accredited by NAAC, New Delhi
th
#18 Km, Bannerghatta Road, Kalkere, Bengaluru-83
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONICS & COMMUNICATION
ENGINEERING
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Mini Project report entitled “SMART SOLUTIONS
FOR BLIND MOBILITY” is a bonafide work carried out by A MOHAMMED
AUDIL (1AM20EC001), BOOPATHY P (1AM20EC018) and DILIP
KUMAR K (1AM20EC025) in partial fulfillment for the award of Bachelor of
Engineering in Electronics and Communication Engineering of the Visvesvaraya
Technological University, Belagavi during the year 2022-23. It is certified that
all corrections/suggestions indicated for internal assessment have been
incorporated in the report. The Mini Project report has been approved as it
satisfies the academic requirements in respect of mini project prescribed for the
said Degree.
Signature of the Guide
Signature of the HOD
Dr. Usha Rani B
Dr. Shiva Kumar G
Signature of the Principal
Dr. Nagaraja R
External Viva
Name of the Examiners:
1.
2.
Signature with Date:
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the Mini Project report entitled “SMART SOLUTIONS FOR
BLIND MOBILITY” has been carried out by me under the guidance of my guide, Dr. USHA
RANI B, Associate professor, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering,
AMC Engineering College, Bangalore and submitted in partial fulfilment of the course
requirements for the award of the degree in Bachelor of Electronics and Communication
Engineering during the year 2020-21. The matter embodied in this report has not been submitted
to any other university or institution for the award of any other degree or diploma.
A MOHAMMED AUDIL(1AM20EC001)
BOOPATHY P (1AM20EC018)
DILIP KUMAR K(1AM20EC025)
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to thank our chairman Dr. K R Paramahamsa AMC Engineering
College, Bangalore, for providing the necessary infrastructure.
I would like to thank our Principal, Dr. Nagaraja R , AMC Engineering College,
Bangalore, for his kind cooperation.
I sincerely thank Dr. Shiva Kumar G, HOD, Dept. of Electronics and
Communication Engineering, AMC Engineering College, Bangalore, from the bottom of my
heart for her support and understanding.
I consider it my privilege to express gratitude to my guide, Dr. Usha Rani B
Associate professor, Dept. of Electronics and Communication Engineering, AMC
Engineering College, Bangalore, for their constant support and valuable suggestions during
the Mini Project.
My deepest gratitude goes to my teachers, who showed infinite patience and
understanding till the completion of my Mini project.
Last, but not the least, my sincere credit to my parents, my friends and to one and all
who have directly or indirectly helped me in the successful completion of the Mini project.
A MOHAMMEDAUDIL(1AM20EC001)
BOOPATHY P (1AM20EC018)
DILIP KUMAR K(1AM20EC025)
ABSTRACT
A smart blind stick is a device designed to assist visually impaired individuals in
navigating their surroundings. It can be built using an Arduino board and various sensors,
including an ultrasonic sensor, a water level sensor, and a GSM module .
The ultrasonic sensor can detect obstacles in the path of the user, while the water level
sensor can detect the presence of water on the road . The GSM module can be used to send
notifications or alerts to the user or a caretaker .
These devices can deliver the functionality that blind users need to navigate their
surroundings safely and with confidence.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Sl.No
Title
Page No.
Abstract
06
Table of Contents
07
List of Figures
08
1
Introduction
09
2
Problem Definition
10
3
Design/Implementation
11
4
Results
20
5
Conclusion and Future Enhancements
21
6
References
22
Appendix
23
LIST OF FIGURES
FIG NO.
TITLE
PAGE NO.
01
Arduino Nano
12
02
Arduino Uno
13
03
GSM 900a module
14
04
Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04
15
05
Battery
16
06
Adaptor 12V 1A
16
07
Push button
17
08
Water level sensor
17
09
Buzzer
18
10
Zero PCB board
18
11
Switch
19
12
Jumper wires
19
Smart solutions for blind mobility
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
A smart blind stick is a device designed to assist blind persons without human need. It is
equipped with an ultrasonic sensor fixed to the user’s stick, which tries to detect any obstacle
present in the path while the user moves the stick in the forward direction. The stick can also
contain a water sensor for road water detection and a GSM module for sending the SMS to a
specific mobile number.
The device can be built using an Arduino Nano or Uno. This device will be the best
solution to overcome the difficulties of visually impaired individuals and provide them with a
clear path.
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Chapter 2
Problem Definition
The problem that a smart blind stick using ultrasonic sensor, water level sensor, and GSM
module in Arduino Nano and Uno aims to solve is to assist blind persons without human need.
Visually impaired individuals often convey a hand that stays with them at whatever point they
need help. However, even when they use this stick, there is no guarantee that the visually impaired
people are safe and get in reaching their destinations. There might be an obstacle in their way that
isn’t experienced by the individual with the help of the stick. Thus, the people may be injured if
the obstacle is big enough or dangerous.
A smart blind stick is designed and developed to assist the blind person and provide them
with a clear path. The system consists of an ultrasonic sensor fixed to the user’s stick. While the
user moves the stick in the forward direction, the ultrasonic sensor with Arduino fixed to the stick
tries to detect the obstacle if any present in the path. If the sensor recognizes the obstacle, the
output of the recipient triggers, and this change will be identified by the microcontroller since the
output of the receiver is given as inputs to the microcontroller. This stick recognizes the object
before the individual and offers a response to the client either by vibrating or through an order.
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Chapter 3
Design/Implementation
The design and implementation of a smart blind stick using ultrasonic sensor, water level
sensor, and GSM module in Arduino Nano and Uno involves several components. The system
consists of an ultrasonic sensor fixed to the user’s stick. While the user moves the stick in the
forward direction, the ultrasonic sensor with Arduino fixed to the stick tries to detect the obstacle
if any present in the path. If the sensor recognizes the obstacle, the output of the recipient triggers,
and this change will be identified by the microcontroller since the output of the receiver is given as
inputs to the microcontroller.
An Arduino Nano or Uno can be used to control all the sensors. The main board’s circuit
diagram to build a blind stick using ultrasonic sensor is shown below: As we can see an Arduino
Nano is used to control all the sensors, but you can also build this Smart blind stick using arduino
uno but following the same pinouts and program.
This stick recognizes the object before the individual and offers a response to the client either by
vibrating or through an order.
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Hardware Used
01.Arduino Nano
The Arduino Nano is a small, complete, and breadboard-friendly board based on
the ATmega328P microcontroller and developed by Arduino.cc. It offers the same connectivity
and specs of the Arduino Uno board in a smaller form factor1. It has more or less the same
functionality of the Arduino Duemilanove, but in a different package. It lacks only a DC power
jack and works with a Mini-B USB cable instead of a standard one.
The Nano is Arduino’s classic breadboard-friendly designed board with the smallest
dimensions. The Arduino Nano comes with pin headers that allow for an easy attachment onto a
breadboard and features a Mini-B USB connector.
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02. Arduino Uno
The Arduino Uno is an open-source microcontroller board based on the Microchip
ATmega328P microcontroller and developed by Arduino.cc. It was initially released in
2010. The board is equipped with sets of digital and analog input/output (I/O) pins that may be
interfaced to various expansion boards (shields) and other circuits.
The Arduino Uno is the best board to get started with electronics and coding. If this is your
first experience tinkering with the platform, the Uno is the most robust board you can start playing
with. The Uno is the most used and documented board of the whole Arduino family.
03.GSM 900a module
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The SIM900A is readily available GSM/GPRS module, used in many mobile phones and
PDAs. The module can also be used for developing IOT (Internet of Things) and Embedded
Applications. SIM900A is a dual-band GSM/GPRS engine that works on frequencies EGSM
900MHz and DCS 1800MHz.
It is the smallest and cheapest module for GPRS/GSM communication. It is common with
Arduino and microcontroller in most embedded applications. The module offers GPRS/GSM
technology for communication with the uses of a mobile sim. It allows users to receive/send
mobile calls and SMS.
04.Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04
The HC-SR04 is an ultrasonic sensor that uses sonar to determine the distance to an object
like bats or dolphins do. It measures accurate distance using a non-contact technology - A
technology that involves no physical contact between sensor and object.
This sensor reads from 2cm to 400cm (0.8inch to 157inch) with an accuracy of 0.3cm
(0.1inches), which is good for most hobbyist projects. In addition, this particular module comes
with ultrasonic transmitter and receiver modules.
The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor uses sonar to determine the distance to an object. Here’s
what happens: The ultrasound transmitter (trig pin) emits a high-frequency sound (40 kHz). The
sound travels through the air. If it finds an object, it bounces back to the module. The ultrasound
receiver (echo pin) receives the reflected sound (echo).
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05.Battery
A 2000mAh lithium battery is a rechargeable battery that has a capacity of 2000
milliampere-hours (mAh). This means that the battery can supply a current of 2000 milliamperes
(mA) for one hour before it needs to be recharged. Lithium batteries are known for their high
energy density, meaning they can store a large amount of energy in a small space, making them
ideal for portable devices.
06.Adaptor 12V 1A
A 12V 1A adaptor is a type of power supply that converts an AC power source into a 12V
DC power source with a maximum current output of 1A. It is commonly used to power electronic
devices that require a 12V DC input and a current of up to 1A.
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07.Push button
A push button is a type of switch mechanism that controls some aspect of a machine or
process. It is typically made out of hard material, usually plastic or metal, and is designed to be
easily depressed or pushed by the human finger or hand.
08.Water level sensor
A water level sensor is a device that measures the level of liquid in a fixed container. There
are two types of water level sensors: contact and non-contact. Contact sensors convert the height
of the liquid level into an electrical signal for output. The water level transducer converts the water
level parameter into an electric quantity signal in real time. Level sensors are used to monitor,
maintain, and measure liquid levels in containers, tanks, or silos. Level measurements can be done
inside containers or in natural bodies of water like rivers or lakes.
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09.Buzzer
A buzzer is an audio signaling device that may be mechanical, electromechanical, or
piezoelectric (piezo for short). The main function of a buzzer is to convert an audio signal into
sound. It is mainly used to prompt or alarm. Typical uses of buzzers and beepers include alarm
devices, timers, and confirmation of user input such as a mouse click or keystroke.
10.Zero PCB board
Zero PCB is basically a general-purpose printed circuit board (PCB), also known as
perfboard or DOT PCB. It is a thin rigid copper sheet with holes pre-drilled at standard intervals
across a grid with 2.54mm (0.1-inch) spacing between holes. Each hole is encircled by a round or
square copper pad so that component lead can be inserted into the hole and soldered around the
pad without short-circuiting the nearby pads and other leads.
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11.Switch
A switch is a device that governs the signal flow. It allows a connection to be opened or
closed. When opened, the switch allows a signal or power to flow through the connection. When
closed, the switch stops the flow and breaks the circuit connection.The most common type of
switch is an electromechanical device consisting of one or more sets of movable electrical contacts
connected to external circuits. When a pair of contacts is touching current can pass between them,
while when the contacts are separated no current can flow.
12.Jumper wires
Jumper wires are electrical wires with connector pins at each end. They are used to connect
two points in a circuit without soldering. You can use jumper wires to modify a circuit or diagnose
problems in a circuit.
Jumper wires typically come in three versions: male-to-male, male-to-female and femaleto-female. The difference between each is in the end point of the wire. Male ends have a pin
protruding and can plug into things, while female ends do not and are used to plug things into.
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Flowchart
Initialize GSM module
Initialize GSM module
Initialize ultrasonic sensor
Initialize
module
Initialize
GSMGSM
module
Initialize
button
Initialize
GSMpush
module
izGSM module
Read ultrasonic sensor, buzzer sound if obstacle detected
e
Read
water
level
sensor, buzzer sound if water level is high
Initialize
GSM
module
e
Check push buttonInitialize
status, GSM
if button
pressed send SMS
module
Initialize GSM module
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Chapter 4
Results
The overall outcome of building a smart stick using Arduino Nano and Uno with a water
level sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and GSM module would be a device that can detect water levels,
measure distances, and provide communication capabilities through SMS alerts. Here's an
overview of the key features and benefits:
1. Water level detection: The smart stick incorporates a water level sensor that can accurately detect
the water level in a container or object. This feature is useful for applications such as monitoring
water levels in tanks, wells, or other water storage systems.
2. Distance measurement: The inclusion of an ultrasonic sensor enables the smart stick to measure
distances by emitting ultrasonic waves and calculating the time taken for the waves to bounce
back. This functionality allows the device to detect obstacles or measure the proximity of objects.
3. GSM communication: By integrating a GSM module, the smart stick can establish communication
through cellular networks. This enables the device to send SMS alerts or notifications to a
predefined number based on the sensor readings. It provides a convenient way to receive real-time
updates or warnings remotely.
4. Arduino Nano and Uno compatibility: The combination of Arduino Nano and Uno provides a
powerful platform for controlling and programming the smart stick. The Arduino Nano can handle
sensor inputs and perform calculations, while the Arduino Uno acts as a bridge to connect the
GSM module and enable communication.
5. Educational and learning opportunity: Building the smart stick using Arduino Nano and Uno
offers a valuable learning experience. It allows you to gain hands-on experience with electronics,
programming, sensor integration, and communication modules. This project can serve as an
educational tool to explore various concepts and develop practical skills.
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Chapter 5
Conclusion and Future Enhancements
In conclusion, building a smart stick using Arduino Nano and Uno with a water level
sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and GSM module offers a range of functionalities, including water level
detection, distance measurement, and GSM communication for SMS alerts. The project provides a
practical and educational experience in electronics, programming, and sensor integration.
However, there are several future enhancements that could be considered to further improve the
smart stick:
1. Integration of additional sensors: Depending on the specific use case, you could explore
integrating other sensors such as temperature sensors, humidity sensors, or GPS modules to
enhance the capabilities of the smart stick. This would allow for more comprehensive
environmental monitoring or tracking functionalities.
2. Data logging and analysis: Implementing a data logging feature would enable the smart stick to
store sensor readings over time. This data could then be analyzed to identify patterns or trends,
providing valuable insights for various applications, such as water management or environmental
monitoring.
3. Wireless communication: Consider incorporating wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth
or Wi-Fi to enable real-time data transmission to a mobile device or a web server. This would
allow for remote monitoring and control of the smart stick, enhancing its usability and
accessibility.
4. Integration with cloud services: By integrating the smart stick with cloud platforms like Amazon
Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP), you could leverage cloud computing and
storage capabilities. This would enable advanced data processing, analytics, and remote access to
the smart stick's functionalities.
5. User interface and control: Enhance the user experience by developing a user-friendly interface,
such as a mobile application or a web-based dashboard, to interact with and control the smart stick.
This would make it easier for users to access information, configure settings, and receive
notifications.
6. Power optimization: Implement power-saving techniques, such as deep sleep modes or power
management algorithms, to optimize energy consumption and extend the battery life of the smart
stick. This would be particularly beneficial for portable or battery-operated applications.
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REFERENCES
1.Naiwrita Dey, Ankita Paul, Pritha Ghosh, Chandrama Mukherjee, Rahul De and Sohini Dey,
"Ultrasonic Sensor Based Smart Blind Stick", IEEE International Conference on Current Trends
toward Converging Technologies, March, 2018.
2.Md S. Arefi and T. Mollick, "Design of an Ultrasonic Distance Meter", International journal of
scientific and engineering research, vol. 4, no. 3, March 2013.
3.A. Agarwal, D. Kumar and A. Bhardwaj, "Ultrasonic Stick for Blind", International journal of
engineering and computer science, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 11375-11378, April 2015, ISSN 2319-7242.
4.Ayat A. Nada, Mahmoud A. Fakhr and Ahmed F. Seddik, "Assistive infrared sensor based smart
stick for blind people", IEEE Information Conference (SAI), July 2015.
5. S. Koley and R. Mishra, "Voice Operated Outdoor Navigation System for Visually Impaired
Persons", International journal of engineering trends and technology, vol. 3, no. 2, 2012.
6. M. P. Agarwal and A. R. Gupta, "Smart Stick for the Blind and Visually Impaired
People", 2018 Second International Conference on Inventive Communication and Computational
Technologies (ICICCT), pp. 8473344, 2018.
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Appendix
Code for Arduino nano :
// Define pins for two ultrasonic sensors and buzzer
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
#define TRIG_PIN_1 2
#define TRIG_PIN_2 5
#define ECHO_PIN_1 3
#define ECHO_PIN_2 6
#define BUZZER_PIN 4
#define SENSOR_PIN A0
// Define constants for speed of sound and threshold distance
#define SPEED_OF_SOUND 0.034 // cm/us
#define THRESHOLD 20 // cm
#define WATER_LEVEL_THRESHOLD 10
// Define an array to store the pin numbers of the sensors
int sensorPins[] = {TRIG_PIN_1, ECHO_PIN_1, TRIG_PIN_2, ECHO_PIN_2};
void setup() {
// Initialize serial monitor
Serial.begin(9600);
// Set pin modes
pinMode(TRIG_PIN_1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(TRIG_PIN_2, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ECHO_PIN_1, INPUT);
pinMode(ECHO_PIN_2, INPUT);
pinMode(BUZZER_PIN, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
// Declare a variable to store the minimum distance
long minDistance = THRESHOLD;
// Read the analog value from the sensor
int sensorValue = analogRead(SENSOR_PIN);
// Map the sensor value to a percentage (0-100)
int waterLevel = map(sensorValue, 0, 1023, 0, 100);
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// Print the water level to serial monitor
Serial.print("Water level: ");
Serial.print(waterLevel);
Serial.println("%");
// Check if the water level is above the threshold
if (waterLevel > WATER_LEVEL_THRESHOLD) {
// Turn on the buzzer with a frequency of 1000 Hz
tone(BUZZER_PIN,100);
// Print a message to serial monitor
Serial.println("Water level is too high!");
}
else {
// Turn off the buzzer
noTone(BUZZER_PIN);
// Print a message to serial monitor
Serial.println("Water level is normal.");
}
// Loop over the sensor pins
for (int i = 0; i < 4; i += 2) {
// Send a pulse to the current sensor
digitalWrite(sensorPins[i], LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(sensorPins[i], HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(sensorPins[i], LOW);
// Read the echo time from the current sensor
long echoTime = pulseIn(sensorPins[i+1], HIGH);
// Calculate the distance in cm
long distance = echoTime * SPEED_OF_SOUND / 2;
// Print the distance to the serial monitor
Serial.print("Distance ");
Serial.print(i/2 + 1);
Serial.print(": ");
Serial.print(distance);
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Serial.println(" cm");
// Update the minimum distance if needed
if (distance < minDistance) {
minDistance = distance;
}
}
// If the minimum distance is less than the threshold, turn on the buzzer
if (minDistance < THRESHOLD) {
digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, HIGH);
Serial.println("Buzzer on");
}
else {
// Otherwise, turn off the buzzer
digitalWrite(BUZZER_PIN, LOW);
Serial.println("Buzzer off");
}
// Wait for a short time before repeating the loop
delay(100);
}
Code for Arduino uno :
#include<SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial gsm(2,3);
void setup()
{
delay(10000);
Serial.begin(9600);
gsm.begin(9600);
gsm.println("AT+CMGF=1");
delay(1000);
gsm.println("AT+CMGS=\"+917829930810\"\r"); //replace x by your number
delay(1000);
gsm.println("hello");
delay(100);
gsm.println((char)26);
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delay(1000);
}
void loop()
{
}
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