Proceeding Paper
Smart Blind Walking Stick with Integrated Sensor †
Premarajan Akhil *, Ramdas Akshara, Raju Athira, Srinivasan Padmanaban Kamalesh Kumar,
Mathialagan Thamotharan and SobanasinghDevapaul Shobha Christila
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hindusthan College of Engineering and Technology,
Coimbatore 641032, India
* Correspondence: akhilputhanpura009@gmail.com
† Presented at the International Conference on Innovative Research in Renewable Energy Technologies,
West Bengal, India, 16–17 March 2022.
Abstract: Our society has a large population of visually impaired people. If you notice them, you
will know they cannot walk without help; they need guidance to reach their destination. They face
many struggles in their daily lives. Even though technology is advancing rapidly today, there is
no affordable device available for people with visual impairments. Blind people have difficulty
performing their daily activities, so a Smart Blind Stick was designed to help them move and perform
their tasks more easily. However, when visually impaired people are walking on the road, they find
it difficult to see obstacles along the way, which makes it very dangerous. A smart stick is one of
the best ways to point around. This stick is equipped with infrared sensors to detect stair cases, and
a pair of ultrasonic sensors to detect any other obstacles in front of the user, within a range of four
meters. A water sensor is also used in the system, which detects water on the user’s path. All found
obstacles are alerted to the user through a buzzer.
Keywords: Arduino UNO R3; ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04); water sensor; IR sensor (A215/450); buzzer
Citation: Akhil, P.; Akshara, R.;
Athira, R.; Kamalesh Kumar, S.P.;
Thamotharan, M.; Shobha Christila, S.
Smart Blind Walking Stick with
Integrated Sensor. Mater. Proc. 2022,
10, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/
materproc2022010012
Academic Editors: Sudipta Das, K.
Vasu Babu, Samrat Paul and
Kunal Chakraborty
Published: 6 September 2022
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral
with regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional affil-
1. Introduction
A person’s eyes are an important organ, as they process visual information and
transmit it to the brain; also, because people receive and process 83% of information from
their environment through their eyes, eyes play a crucial role in the lives of humans. Many
people are deprived of this information, however. There are a number of severe disabilities,
such as blindness, in which a person must face many challenges despite technological
advancements. Blindness refers to a condition in people lacking the ability to perceive light,
as well as those who have so little vision that they must use other senses as substitutes
for their ability to see. The visually impaired refers to a person with complete or partial
blindness. According to an 11 October 2017 file from the World Health Organization
(WHO), an estimated 253 million human beings are dwelling with imaginative and prescient
impairment, out of which 36 million are definitely visually impaired and 217 million have
reasonable to extreme imaginative and prescient impairment.
iations.
2. Motivation
Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
This article is an open access article
distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons
Attribution (CC BY) license (https://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
4.0/).
The proposal to do the job comes from friends and the community. In our society,
a large number of blind people struggle to perform their daily activities. These people
need the help of others, especially in situations such as crossing roads, seeing obstacles, etc.
These events have prompted us to draw up an instrument that will be of great benefit to
the blind.
3. Problem Statement
In order to furnish a useful, environmentally friendly navigation resource for blind
people, more than a few researchers have conducted the extensive variety of lookup
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12. https://doi.org/10.3390/materproc2022010012
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/materproc
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12
2 of 7
works [1]. Initially, these humans depended solely on others for their simple wants and
mobility. Blind humans have used the white cane and skilled puppies for help [2], however
these techniques have sure limitations. While white canes are inexpensive, they cannot
discover boundaries accurately. The user might also solely be in a position to observe
limitations via touch, which leaves them with little time to react to adverse conditions.
These options are no longer so efficient, as a skilled canine is expensive, and it may get
injured or sick [3]. Thus, these options are no longer efficient. Subsections are introduced
and mentioned beneath that describe and analyze the preceding work, primarily based
on facets and applied sciences concerned with solely obstacle-detecting digital journey
aids (ETAs), or solely impediment detectors alongside function locators and conversation
techniques [4]. There are about 37 million blind humans in the world, with more than
15 million blind human beings residing in India. While congestion of barriers can be
troublesome for non-visually impaired human beings as well, it is even more challenging
for the visually impaired [5,6]. The wants of human beings with visible disabilities are
regularly met through exterior assistance. Visually impaired humans may additionally
find it hard to navigate via a room or a hallway, barring bumping into objects [7,8]. It
can be challenging to avoid obstacles, even with an on-foot stick, due to the fact it can be
uncomfortable, inconvenient, and inaccurate. In order to allow blind humans to move
freely, a mechanism must be developed to help them with their daily activities.
4. Objective
The aim of this mission is to assist blind human beings with walking with ease, and
be warned when their walking course is blocked by means of different objects, people,
or different comparable obstacles. A buzzer is relayed in the circuit as a warning signal,
whose frequency modifications rely on the distance from the object. The nearer the object
is, the louder the buzzer beep frequency will be.
5. Proposed System
This device consists of a bodily sensor related to a microcontroller. The code has been
written with an Arduino sketch, and the microcontroller is interfaced with the ultrasonic
sensor. This Arduino board makes use of the ATmega328p (datasheet) microcontroller. In
addition to 14 digital outputs and inputs, 6 of which are PMW outputs, it has 6 analog
inputs, a 16 MHz quartz crystal, a USB connection, a strength jack, and an ICSP reset
button. When contact is made, two wire probes feel the presence of water by means of
the precise resistance of water. Blind customers will be in a position to navigate freely to
their favored region with the system. Moreover, it is effortless to use and user-friendly. It
is realistic, and is mass made to be used by the visually impaired. The machine has the
function of detecting the rear limits located during the movement in and out of navigation.
A smart stick is usually an embedded device that combines the following: the effort of the
sensory nerves to detect the boundaries ahead of time, rather than the blind from top to top
within a distance of 400 cm per head. Inaudible sensors and water sensors capture real-time
statistics and send them to a small controller. As soon as this information is available, the
microcontroller launches the buzzer. The water gadget sees water below, and the battery is
powered by circuits. Hence this proposed system is helpful for visually impaired people
with the help of varied component to detect obstacles.
6. Hardware Components
The project includes a simple electronic system that includes the following components:
Walking Stick, Arduino (UNO R3), Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04), IR Sensor (A215/450),
Water Sensor (LE 25.00), Switch, Voltage regulator, Power supply, Buzzer.
6. Hardware Components
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12
The project includes a simple electronic system that includes the following compo3 of 7
nents: Walking Stick, Arduino (UNO R3), Ultrasonic Sensor (HC—SR04), IR Sensor
(A215/450), Water Sensor (LE 25.00), Switch, Voltage regulator, Power supply, Buzzer.
6.1. Components
Components Description
Description
6.1.
6.1.1.
6.1.1. Arduino
Arduino
Arduino
Arduino (UNO
(UNO R3)
R3) is
is an
an open-source
open-source hardware
hardware and
and software
software company,
company,project
projectand
and
consumer
builds
single-board
microcontrollers
andand
microconconsumercommunity
communitythat
thatdesigns
designsand
and
builds
single-board
microcontrollers
microtroller
kits to
create
digital
units units
and interactive
sensors,
and controls
each body
It
controller
kits
to create
digital
and interactive
sensors,
and controls
eachdigitally.
body digcan
be
set
up
to
configure
any
device
with
additional
sensors.
The
key
features
of
this
board
itally. It can be set up to configure any device with additional sensors. The key features of
usually
include,
DIPinclude,
(Dual-inline-package),
removable and
AT-mega328
microcontroller.
this board
usually
DIP (Dual-inline-package),
removable
and AT-mega328
miThe
layout of this
Figure
1, can
easily1,downloaded
the Arduino
crocontroller.
Theboard
layoutshown
of this in
board
shown
inbe
Figure
can be easily using
downloaded
using
laptop
system.
This system.
board has
great
support
fromsupport
the Arduino
community,
which will
the Arduino
laptop
This
board
has great
from the
Arduino community,
make
it
a
much
easier
way
to
start
working
on
embedded
electronics,
as
well
as
many
which will make it a much easier way to start working on embedded electronics,inas
well
larger
applications.
as in many larger applications.
Figure1.1. Arduino
ArduinoUNO
UNOR3
R3Pin
PinDiagram.
Diagram.
Figure
6.1.2.
6.1.2. ULTRASONIC
ULTRASONICSENSOR
SENSOR(HC-SR04)
(HC-SR04)
The
ultrasonic
sensor
is
mainly
used
for proximity
sensorsensor
purposes,
and in and
our project
The ultrasonic sensor is mainly
used
for proximity
purposes,
in our
this
sensor
is
mainly
used
as
an
object
detection
system.
As
this
application
mainly
covers
project this sensor is mainly used as an object detection system. As this application
blind
people,
kind
of sensor
integrated
system
is mainly
helpful
for those
kind for
of
mainly
coversthis
blind
people,
this kind
of sensor
integrated
system
is mainly
helpful
people.
The
sensor
which
we
used
in
this
project
covers
a
distance
of
about
2
cm
to
400
cm,
those kind of people. The sensor which we used in this project covers a distance of about
but
thetomain
to be
kept in
hand
be free
2 cm
400 criteria
cm, butthat
the has
main
criteria
that
hasistothe
beenvironment,
kept in handwhich
is theshould
environment,
from
water
vapour
because
water
vapour
will
spoil
the
range
of
the
sensor.
The
distance
which should be free from water vapour because water vapour will spoil the range of the
between
the distance
sensor and
the object
will beand
sensed
and the
information
will the
be given
to the
sensor. The
between
the sensor
the object
will
be sensed and
information
microcontroller
so
that
the
alarm
will
be
turned
on
and
it
will
be
elucidated
to
the
subject.
will be given to the microcontroller so that the alarm will be turned on and it will be eluThis
ultrasonic
sensor module
is a four-pin
module
whose
pins aremodule
Vcc, Trigger,
Echo
cidated
to the subject.
This ultrasonic
sensor
module
is a four-pin
whose
pinsand
are
Ground,
respectively.
Vcc, Trigger,
Echo and Ground, respectively.
6.1.3. IR SENSOR (A215/450)
6.1.3. IR SENSOR (A215/450)
The IR sensor module consists mainly of an IR Transmitter and Receiver, OPamp,
The IR sensor module consists mainly of an IR Transmitter and Receiver, OPamp,
Variable Resistor (Trimmer pot), and LED outlet. IR LED Transmitter: IR LED emits
Variable
(Trimmer
pot), andIR
LED
outlet.
IRvisible
LED Transmitter:
emits light,
light, in aResistor
wide infrared
frequency.
light
is not
to humans IR
as LED
its wavelength
in
a
wide
infrared
frequency.
IR
light
is
not
visible
to
humans
as
its
wavelength
(700
nm–
(700 nm–1 mm) is much higher than the visible light intensity. IR LEDs have an
optical
1
mm)
is
much
higher
than
the
visible
light
intensity.
IR
LEDs
have
an
optical
illumiilluminating angle of approximately 20–60 degrees, and range of approximately a few
natingto
angle
of approximately
degrees,
range of approximately
a few inches
to
inches
several
feet, depending20–60
on the
type ofand
IR transmitter
and the manufacturer.
Some
transmitters operate with a range of several miles. An IR LED is white or transparent
in color, so it can provide high light intensity. Photodiode Receiver: the photodiode acts
as an IR receiver as it operates when light falls on it. A photodiode is a semiconductor
with a P-N junction, which operates in Reverse Bias, which means it initiates current in
reverse direction when light drops in it, and the current flow value is equal to the amount
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12
several feet, depending on the type of IR transmitter and the manufacturer. Some transmitters operate with a range of several miles. An IR LED is white or transparent in color,
so it can provide high light intensity. Photodiode Receiver: the photodiode acts as an IR
receiver as it operates when light falls on it. A photodiode is a semiconductor with a P-N
4 of 7
junction, which operates in Reverse Bias, which means it initiates current in reverse direction when light drops in it, and the current flow value is equal to the amount of Light.
This
featureThis
makes
it useful
IR detection.
A photodiode
looks like looks
an LED,
a
of Light.
feature
makesfor
it useful
for IR detection.
A photodiode
like with
an LED,
black
color
on
its
outer
surface;
the
black
color
absorbs
a
very
high
amount
of
light
shown
with a black color on its outer surface; the black color absorbs a very high amount of light
inshown
Figurein
2. Figure 2.
Figure
Sensor
(A215/450)
Diagram.
Figure
2. 2.
IRIR
Sensor
(A215/450)
PinPin
Diagram.
6.1.4. LM358 Op-Amp
6.1.4. LM358 Op-Amp
The LM358 is an Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) used as a voltage comparator
The LM358 is an Operational Amplifier (Op-Amp) used as a voltage comparator for
for IR sensors. The comparator will compare the threshold voltage set using pre-set
IR(pin2)
sensors.
comparator
will compare
threshold
voltage set series
using resistor
pre-set (pin2)
andThe
photodiode’s
resistor
voltage the
(pin3).
The photodiode’s
voltage
and
photodiode’s
resistor
voltage
(pin3).
The
photodiode’s
series
resistor
voltage
>
drop > Threshold voltage = Opamp output is high, and photodiode’s series resistordrop
voltage
Threshold
voltage
=
Opamp
output
is
high,
and
photodiode’s
series
resistor
voltage
drop
drop < Threshold voltage = Opamp output is low. When the Opamp output is high, the
< Threshold
Opamp
output turns
is low.ON
When
the Opamp
outputofisobject).
high, the LED at
LED at thevoltage
Opamp=output
terminal
(Indicating
Detection
the Opamp output terminal turns ON (Indicating Detection of object).
6.1.5. WATER SENSOR (LE 25.00)
6.1.5. WATER
SENSOR
25.00)
The water
sensor (LE
brick
is designed for water detection, which can be widely used to
Therainfall,
water sensor
designed
for water
detection,
which
can bemade
widely
to
detect
waterbrick
level,isand
even leak
liquate.
The brick
is mainly
upused
of three
detect
water level,
and even leak
liquate.
Theand
brick
is mainly
of three
parts:rainfall,
an electronic
brick connector,
1 MΩ
resistor,
several
rows made
of bareupwires.
This
parts:
anworks
electronic
brick aconnector,
1 MΩ resistor,
and several
of bareand
wires.
This
sensor
by having
series of exposed
trackers connected
torows
the ground,
connected
sensor
works
by having atracking
series ofsensors.
exposedSensor
trackers
connected
to thepull-up
ground,resistance
and con-of
between
ground-based
traces
have a weak
nected
ground-based
tracking
Sensor
have
weak
re1 MΩ.between
The resistor
will pull the
value ofsensors.
the sensor
tracetraces
up until
theadrop
of pull-up
water sensor
traces to
bottom
Believe
it or the
not,value
this circuit
work
withup
your
Arduino
digital
sistance
ofthe
1 MΩ.
Thetrack.
resistor
will pull
of thewill
sensor
trace
until
the drop
of
I/O sensor
pins, ortraces
you to
canthe
use
it with
analog
pinsittoordetect
thecircuit
amount
ofwork
water-generated
water
bottom
track.
Believe
not, this
will
with your
connections
between
theor
ground
track
the sensors.
This to
item
can judge
the water
level
Arduino
digital
I/O pins,
you can
useand
it with
analog pins
detect
the amount
of wathrough a series
of interlocking
to measure
a drop
of water/size.
This
ter-generated
connections
betweenstrings
the ground
track and
the sensors.
This item
cansensitive
judge
water
sensor
easily convert
water amount
to an analog
signal,a and
analog
the
water
levelcan
through
a series the
of interlocking
strings
to measure
dropthe
ofoutput
water/size.
value
can
be
applied
directly
to
the
system
function,
and
then
to
accomplish
the
function
This sensitive water sensor can easily convert the water amount to an analog signal, andof
a water
alarm.
Thiscan
item
low power
consumption,
andfunction,
high sensitivity,
which
are
the
outputlevel
analog
value
behas
applied
directly
to the system
and then
to acmajor features
of thisofmodule.
Sensitivity
Sensor
canconsumption,
be compatibleand
with
complish
the function
a water The
levelHigh
alarm.
This itemWater
has low
power
Arduino
UNO, which
Arduino
Arduino
etc.
high
sensitivity,
aremega2560,
major features
of ADK,
this module.
The High Sensitivity Water
Sensor can be compatible with Arduino UNO, Arduino mega2560, Arduino ADK, etc.
6.1.6. VOLTAGE REGULATOR (LM 7808)
The LM7808 series of three terminal positive controls are available in the TO-220
package, with several constant output voltages, making them useful for many different
applications. Each type uses an internal current limit, thermal shut-off and protection
of a safe working environment, which prevents it from failing. If a sufficient immersion
temperature is provided, it can produce an output of more than 1A current. Although it
was designed primarily as a fixed power controller, these devices can be used with external
components to obtain adjustable voltages and currents shown in Figure 3. One of the main
advantages of these voltage regulators is that no matter if the input voltage fluctuates, they
will provide a fixed voltage at the output, but the input voltage should not be less than the
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12
safe working environment, which prevents it from failing. If a sufficient immersion
safe working environment, which prevents it from failing. If a sufficient immersion
temperature is provided, it can produce an output of more than 1A current. Although it
temperature is provided, it can produce an output of more than 1A current. Although it
was designed primarily as a fixed power controller, these devices can be used with exwas designed primarily as a fixed power controller, these devices can be used with external components to obtain adjustable voltages and currents shown in Figure 3. One of
ternal components to obtain adjustable voltages and currents shown in Figure 3. One of
the main advantages of these voltage regulators is that no matter if the input voltage
the main advantages of these voltage regulators is that no matter if the input voltage
5 of 7
fluctuates, they will provide a fixed voltage at the output, but the input voltage should
fluctuates, they will provide a fixed voltage at the output, but the input voltage should
not be less than the minimum required voltage of the ICs. The input voltage in any connot be less than the minimum required voltage of the ICs. The input voltage in any condition must be 2 V to 3 V higher than the output voltage. To get a stable 8V output from
dition
must be 2 V to 3voltage
V higher than
theThe
output
voltage.
To get
stable 8V output
minimum
ICs.
input
voltage
anya condition
befrom
V 3V
to
LM7808 asrequired
discussed above,ofitthe
is suggested
that the
inputinvoltage
must bemust
at least
22 to
LM7808
as discussed
above,
itvoltage.
is suggested
thatstable
the input
voltagefrom
must be at least
2 to 3V
3higher
V higher
than
output
8 V output
discussed
than
thethe
output
voltage.
TheTo
ICget
is a DC
device,
so the inputLM7808
voltageas
must
be DC.
higher
than
output voltage.
The IC
is a DC
device,
the2input
voltage
mustthe
be DC.
above,
it isthe
suggested
thatAthe
input
voltage
atso
least
to 3 Vbe
higher
than
Additionally,
to get 1.5
at the
output
themust
inputbecurrent
should
at least
2 A. output
Additionally,
to
get
1.5
A
at
the
output
the
input
current
should
be
at
least
2
A.
voltage. The IC is a DC device, so the input voltage must be DC. Additionally, to get 1.5 A
at the output the input current should be at least 2 A.
Figure3.3.Voltage
VoltageRegulator
RegulatorPin
PinDiagram.
Diagram.
Figure
Figure 3. Voltage Regulator Pin Diagram.
6.1.7.
6.1.7.PHOTO
PHOTODIODE
DIODERECEIVER
RECEIVER
6.1.7. PHOTO DIODE RECEIVER
The
photo
diode
acts
The photo diode actsas
asan
anIR
IRreceiver
receiveras
asititoperates
operateswhen
whenlight
lightfalls
fallson
onit.
it.The
Thephoto
photo
The
photo
diode
acts
as
an
IR
receiver
as
it
operates
when
light
falls
on
it.
The
photo
diode
diodeisisaasemiconductor
semiconductorwith
withaaP-N
P-Njunction,
junction,which
whichoperates
operatesin
inthe
thereverse
reversebias,
bias,which
which
diode
is a semiconductor
with a P-N
junction,
which operates inwhen
the reverse
bias, which
means
meansititbegins
beginsto
toconduct
conductthe
thecurrent
currentin
inaabackward
backwarddirection
direction whenthe
the light
light drops
drops on
on it,
it,
means
it
begins
to
conduct
the
current
in
a
backward
direction
when
the
light
drops on it,for
and
andthe
thecurrent
currentflow
flowvalue
valueisisequal
equalto
tothe
theamount
amountof
oflight.
light.This
Thisfeature
featuremakes
makesitituseful
useful for
and
the currentThe
flow value is equal
to like
the amount
of
light.
This
makeswhich
it usefulshown
for
IR
looks
an LED,
with
black
onfeature
theon
outside
IRdetection.
detection. Thephotodiode
photodiode
looks
like
an LED,
with
black
the outside iswhich
is
IRindetection.
The
photodiode
looks like
an LED, with
black
on the outside which is
Figurein4.Figure
The black
color
absorbs
the maximum
amount
of light.
shown
4. The
black
color absorbs
the maximum
amount
of light.
shown in Figure 4. The black color absorbs the maximum amount of light.
Figure4.4.Photodiode
PhotodiodeReceiver.
Receiver.
Figure
Figure 4. Photodiode Receiver.
6.1.8.
6.1.8.BUZZER
BUZZER
6.1.8. BUZZER
The
smallbut
buteffective
effectivecomponent
component
adding
audio
features
to proour
The buzzer
buzzer is aa small
forfor
adding
audio
features
to our
The buzzer is a small
but effective
for adding
features it
to our be
proproject/system.
is very
andcomponent
compact
pins, audio
which
easject/system. It is It
very
smallsmall
and compact
with 2with
pins,2 which
is whyisitwhy
can be can
easily used
ject/system.
is very
smallPerf
andBoard
compact
pins,making
which isthis
why
it can be
easily
used
ily used onItbread
board,
and with
even 2PCBs,
a widely
used
component
in many electrical systems. There are two types of buzzers commonly found. The one
shown here is a simple buzzer, that if enabled will make a continuous beep sound; another
type called a ready-made buzzer that will look bigger and will produce a “Beep. Beep.
Beep.” sound due, to the internal oscillating circuit located inside it. But the one shown
here is the most widely used because it can be customized with the help of other regions
to easily fit into our app. This buzzer can be operated by simply powering it using a DC
power supply ranging from 4 V to 9 V. A simple 9 V battery can also be used, but it is
recommended that you use a +5 V or +6 V DC controlled supply. The buzzer is usually
associated with a switch on the “ON” or “OFF” of the bus when needed and requires an
interval shown in Figure 5.
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12
Beep. Beep.” sound due, to the internal oscillating circuit located inside it. But the one
shown here is the most widely used because it can be customized with the help of other
regions to easily fit into our app. This buzzer can be operated by simply powering it using a DC power supply ranging from 4 V to 9 V. A simple 9 V battery can also be used,
but it is recommended that you use a +5 V or +6 V DC controlled supply. The buzzer is
6 of 7
usually associated with a switch on the “ON” or “OFF” of the bus when needed and requires an interval shown in Figure 5.
Figure5.5.The
TheEntire
EntireCircuit
CircuitDiagram
DiagramOf
OfThis
ThisProject.
Project.
Figure
7.7. Discussion
Discussion
For
Forfurther
furtherenhancement,
enhancement,our
ourproject
projectwill
willbe
beintegrated
integratedwith
withmore
morepowerful
powerfulsensors
sensors
which
will
provide
precise
information
about
the
detection
of
obstacles
in
a wide
range.
A
which will provide precise information about the detection of obstacles in
a wide
range.
suitable
mobile
application
will
also
be
developed
along
with
the
product
design,
which
A suitable mobile application will also be developed along with the product design,
can
help
to help
identify
the location
of user,ofand
guide
user
the
right
byway
giving
voice
which
can
to identify
the location
user,
andthe
guide
the
user
theway
right
by giving
guidance
through
headphones
connected
with the
product.
Our product
will make
of
voice guidance
through
headphones
connected
with
the product.
Our product
willuse
make
GPS
to
find
the
shortest
and
best
path
to
the
destination
with
the
help
of
Google
mapping
use of GPS to find the shortest and best path to the destination with the help of Google
systems.
will attach
GSMattach
in ourGSM
product,
which
can help
in can
future
forinany
immediate
mappingWe
systems.
We will
in our
product,
which
help
future
for any
casualty
help.
We
will
make
our
product
more
compact
by
using
VLSI
technology
to design
immediate casualty help. We will make our product more compact by using VLSI
techPCB unit.
nology to design PCB unit.
8. Conclusions
8. Conclusions
It is worth mentioning at this point that the purpose of this study, which is to design
It isaworth
at this point
purpose
of this study,
is to
design
and use
clevermentioning
and smart walking
stickthat
forthe
visually
impaired
people,which
is fully
realized.
and
use
a
clever
and
smart
walking
stick
for
visually
impaired
people,
is
fully
realized.
The Smart Stick serves as a basic platform for the next generation of assistive devices to
The the
Smart
Stick serves
as atobasic
platform
the next
generation
of assistive
devices to
help
visually
impaired
navigate
safelyfor
inside
and out.
It is practical
and affordable.
help
the
visually
impaired
to
navigate
safely
inside
and
out.
It
is
practical
and
affordable.
It leads to good results in finding obstacles in the user’s path over a distance of 3 m.
It leads
to good
results
in finding
obstacles
in the user’s
path over
a distanceand
of 3a m.
This
This
system
provides
a low
cost, reliable,
portable,
low power
consumption
robust
system provides
low short
cost, clear
reliable,
portable,
powerthe
consumption
and a nerves
robust
navigation
solutiona with
response
time.low
Although
system has strong
navigation
solution
with
short
clear
response
time.
Although
the
system
has
strong
and other components, it has a light weight. Other features of this system can be enhanced
nerves
and
other
components,
it
has
a
light
weight.
Other
features
of
this
system
can
be
by connecting wireless components between the components, thus increasing the range of
enhanced
by
connecting
wireless
components
between
the
components,
thus
increasing
the ultrasonic sensor and the use of the speed detection technology. While developing such
theenabling
range ofsolution,
the ultrasonic
and and
the use
ofpeople
the speed
technology.
an
visuallysensor
impaired
blind
in alldetection
developing
countries While
were
developing
suchpriorities.
an enabling
visually
impaired
peopleobstacles
in all develat
the top of our
The solution,
device built
into this
functionand
canblind
only detect
and
oping countries
were atbethe
top of using
our priorities.
The
built of
into
this function
can
moisture.
Holes cannot
detected
this device
or device
other types
obstacle.
Therefore,
detect
obstacles
and moisture.
Holes sensors;
cannot be
detected
using
or other
aonly
better
device
can be built
using ultrasonic
Arduino
Uno
and this
otherdevice
tools that
use
types commands
of obstacle. Therefore,
better
can
using
ultrasonic
sensors;
audio
to alert theauser
ofdevice
what is
in be
hisbuilt
or her
way.
The vibrator
canArduino
also be
added to make it easier to use. In the future, some changes to improve system performance
will be added. These include: Global Positioning System for GPS User Location, and GSM
modules to communicate the location with a relative or caregiver. It should also include a
wide variety of handles for flexible management.
Author Contributions: Conceptualization and methodology, P.A.; software and validation, R.A.
(Ramdas Akshara); formal analysis and resources, R.A. (Raju Athira); writing—original draft preparation, S.S.C.; writing—review and editing and data curation, M.T.; supervision and resources, S.P.K.K.
All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research received no external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable.
Mater. Proc. 2022, 10, 12
7 of 7
Informed Consent Statement: Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement: The data used to support the findings of this study are included within
the article.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
References
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Nowak, M.S.; Smigielski, J. The Prevalence and Causes of Visual Impairment and Blindness among Older Adults in the City of
Lodz, Poland. Medicine 2015, 94, e505. [CrossRef] [PubMed]
Gayathri, G.; Vishnupriya, M.; Nandhini, R.; Banupriya, M. Smart Walking Stick for Visually Impaired. Int. J. Eng. Comput. Sci.
2014, 3, 4057–4061.
Radhika, R.; Pai, P.G.; Rakshitha, S.; Srinath, R. Implementation of Smart Stick for Obstacle Detection and Navigation. Int. J.
Latest Res. Eng. Technol. 2016, 2, 45–50.
Mahmud, M.H.; Saha, R.; Islam, S. Smart Walking Stick—An Electronic Approach to Assist Visually Disabled Persons. Int. J. Sci.
Eng. Res. 2013, 4, 111–114.
Jose, A.; George, G.; Nair, M.R.; Shilpa, M.J.; Mathai, M.B. Voice Enabled Smart Walking Stick for Visually Impaired. Int. J. Adv.
Res. Electr. Electron. Instrum. Eng. 2016, 5, 80–85.
Sheth, R.; Rajandekar, S.; Laddha, S.; Chaudhari, R. Smart White Cane—An Elegant and Economic Walking Aid. Am. J. Eng. Res.
2014, 3, 84–89.
Kher, C.S.; Dabhade, Y.A.; Kadam, S.K.; Dhamdhere, S.D.; Deshpande, A.V. An Intelligent Walking Stick for the Blind. Int. J. Eng.
Res. Gen. Sci. 2015, 3, 1057–1062.
Mahalakshmi, A.; Mohanavalli, M.; Raja Sankari, V.M.; Shobha Christila, S. PC based Audiometer generating audiogram to access
acoustic threshold. Int. J. Pure Appl. Math. 2018, 119, 13939–13944.