Detachable Smart Blind Stick

Abstract

As the customer requirements for portable devices increasing, there are tremendous innovations emerging in the electronic industry. In this regard several smart sticks entered the market to assist the visually impaired in navigation. They primarily use a stick as a mobility aid allowing them to detect close by obstacles on the ground. Sometimes they may fail to detect or hit obstacles like objects, stairs, or persons. Use of smart sticks which is a portable device can be the solutions to avoid such instances. Though several smart sticks are available, there are some drawbacks. There is a scope for improvement in the parameters like reliability, utility and cost effectiveness. The smart stick is basically an embedded system integrating the sensors, microcontroller and buzzer. A pair of sensor to detect obstacles in front of the blind in the range of 70 cm ahead from ground level to mid-way height of the stick. The real time data from the sensor is applied to the microcontroller for processing. After processing, the microcontroller invokes the buzzer. A detachable unit which acts to augment the functionality of the existing cane or stick is proposed. This aims at alerting the visually challenged people about the obstacles in advance, Also helping them to be independent regarding mobility and navigation.