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Design And Construction Of An Ultrasonic Blind Walking Stick

Electrical Electronics Engineering | Industrial Physics | Physics

The design and construction of an ultrasonic blind walking stick involves the integration of advanced ultrasonic sensor technology with traditional walking stick design to aid visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings with increased autonomy and safety. This innovative device utilizes ultrasonic waves to detect obstacles in the user’s path, providing real-time feedback through auditory or tactile signals, thus enhancing the user’s spatial awareness and mobility. The construction process entails carefully selecting durable and lightweight materials for the stick’s structure, ensuring ergonomic comfort and ease of use. Additionally, the incorporation of rechargeable batteries and intuitive controls enhances the stick’s practicality and user-friendliness. Through meticulous design and engineering, this ultrasonic blind walking stick serves as a reliable and indispensable tool for individuals with visual impairments, empowering them to navigate urban environments with confidence and independence while promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

ABSTRACT

Generally, blind people use a traditional cane for moving from one place to other. Although, white cane is the international symbol of blindness, it could not help them to detect place and to avoid obstacles. In this paper, we represent a model of walking stick for blind people. It consists of Arduino, IR sensor and buzzer. This stick can detect place and obstacles. Position detection part is done with IR sensor. IR sensor is used for detecting obstacles. Here, the buzzer produces two types of sound. When the blind reaches to his destination, buzzer buzzes continuously. When the blind faces any obstacles, buzzer buzzes discontinuously. By hearing this two types of sound, blind can be confirmed about his destination and also can avoid obstacles in front of him. The whole system is designed to be small, light and is used in conjunction with the white cane so that it could ensure safety of the blind.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 OVERVIEW OF BLINDNESS

2.2 REVIEW OF THE STUDY

2.3 DESCRIPTION OF ARDUINO

2.4 DESCRIPTION OF IR SENSOR

2.5 THEORY OF IR SENSOR OPERATION

2.6 THEORY OF BUZZER/SPEAKER

2.7 THEORY VIBRATION MOTOR DRIVER

CHAPTER THREE

DESIGN METHODOLOGY

3.1 SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM BLOCK DIAGRAM

3.3 SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

3.4 SYSTEM OPERATION

3.5 COMPONENTS LIST

3.6 CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION AND CONNECTIONS

3.7 CIRCUIT WORKING PRINCIPLE

3.8 SYSTEM PROGRAMME

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT ANALYSIS

4.1 CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE AND TESTING

4.2 ASSEMBLING OF SECTIONS

4.3 PACKAGING

4.4 MOUNTING PROCEDURE

4.5 TESTING

4.6 RESULT ANALYSIS

4.7 COST ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATION AND REFERENCES

CONCLUSIONS
RECOMMENDATION

5.2 REFERENCES

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Eyes are the most important sense of organ of human. We perceive up to 80 per cent of all impressions by means of our sight. According to the 2014 statistics of World Health Organization, 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide, 39 million are blind and 246 have low vision. The people with low vision or no vision suffer from various problems. Mobility and orientation are two of them [1]. The traditional and oldest mobility aids for the blind are the white cane and guide dog. As white cane is the international symbol of blindness, the visual presence of white cane helps to understand others that the user is blind. It also helps the blind to reach destination and avoid obstacles in ground but it could not protect him from all level of obstacles. On the other hand, Guide dog is able to detect and analyze complex situations: cross walks, stairs, potential danger, know paths and more. But guide dogs are still far from being affordable, around the price of a nice car, and their average working time is limited, an average of 7 years. So these traditional mobility aids have many drawbacks.

1.2 BACKGROND OF THE PROJECT

A number of navigation systems for aiding the blind have been developed already. This developed system can be categorized into two groups. The first group is Electronic Travel Aids (ETAs) and the second group is Electronic Orientation Aids (EOAs). ETAs are designed to create a safe journey by detecting obstacles using ultrasonic and proximity sensor [1].

An arduino blind stick with ultrasonic and proximity sensor for detecting obstacle was developed [2]. It used stereo camera and dual feedback system .Another system for detecting obstacles was created [5]. It was a wheeled stick. When it detected obstacles, it automatically steered around and made the user to follow the obstacles free path without any conscious effort.

1.3 PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purposes are as follows:

To detect place with the stick.
To detect obstacles with the stick.
To ensure safe walking of the blind.
To help the blind to reach his destination safely and securely.
To create a cheap and comfortable mobility aid for the blind.

1.4 AIM OF THE PROJECT

This objective of this work is to develop an aid for visually impaired persons. This project is capable of detecting any obstacle, detect water and corners and even allow the user to find the stick if anyhow missed by the user by pressing a remote switch.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

The device is designed with an intention to sort out common issues faced by the blind people while using traditional sticks. With the electronics embedded within the stick, it became a smart stick with the functionalities mentioned above.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

In this present study, an ultrasonic blind walking stick is developed. It is developed as a place detecting device. By using this stick, blind person will be confirmed that, he has reached the place where he wanted to go. It is easy to maintain and very comfortable to use. Power consumption of this stick is low and can be operated easily. Moreover, it is fully automated. This stick also enables to detect obstacles in user’s way by using an IR sensor. So, it is very helpful for the blind to reach his destination safely.

Arduino UNO is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328 (datasheet). It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz ceramic resonator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller. The Arduino module, IR sensor and buzzer all are connected with it.

Electromechanical buzzer is used for creating two different types of buzzing sound. It is an audio signaling device which is identical to an electric bell without the metal gong. It functions by means of an electromagnet. When an electric current is applied, it produces a repetitive buzzing or clanging sound. A relay may be connected to interrupt its own actuating current, causing the contacts to buzz. Often these units were anchored to a wall or ceiling to use it as a sounding board.

For detecting obstacles, IR sensor is used. The IR LED transmits the IR signal on to the object and the signal is reflected back from the surface of the object. The reflected signals are received by an IR receiver (LDR). Both the LED and LDR consume 3.5 volt power.