IoT Enabled Intelligent Stick for Visually Impaired People for Obstacle Recognition

• DOI: 10.3390/s22228914
• Publication Date: 2022-11-18T11:11:34Z
• Authors: Muhammad Siddique...; Imran Shafi; Harris Khan; Isabel De La Torr...; Jose Breñosa; Julio César Martí...; Imran Ashraf
• Keywords: Internet - Tecnología; Internet of things; Internet of Things; smart stick; biomedical device; Internet of Things; obstacle detection; Palo inteligente; TP1-1185; 02 engineering and technology; Medical innovations; Blindness; Internet de las cosas; Article; 0201 civil engineering; obstacle detection; 32 Ciencias Médicas; Medical technology; Humans; Discapacitados visuales; 1203.25 Diseño de Sistemas Sensores; biomedical device; Chemical technology; Equipment Design; Self-Help Devices; Obstacle detection; Detección de obstáculos; smart stick; Vision disorders; Ceguera; Sensory Aids; People with visual disabilities; Canes; Biomedical engineering; Biomedical materials; Smart stick; Visually Impaired Persons

This paper presents the design, development, and testing of an IoT-enabled smart stick for visually impaired people to navigate the outside environment with the ability to detect and warn about obstacles. The proposed design employs ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection, a water sensor for sensing the puddles and wet surfaces in the user’s path, and a high-definition video camera integrated with object recognition. Furthermore, the user is signaled about various hindrances and objects using voice feedback through earphones after accurately detecting and identifying objects. The proposed smart stick has two modes; one uses ultrasonic sensors for detection and feedback through vibration motors to inform about the direction of the obstacle, and the second mode is the detection and recognition of obstacles and providing voice feedback. The proposed system allows for switching between the two modes depending on the environment and personal preference. Moreover, the latitude/longitude values of the user are captured and uploaded to the IoT platform for effective tracking via global positioning system (GPS)/global system for mobile communication (GSM) modules, which enable the live location of the user/stick to be monitored on the IoT dashboard. A panic button is also provided for emergency assistance by generating a request signal in the form of an SMS containing a Google maps link generated with latitude and longitude coordinates and sent through an IoT-enabled environment. The smart stick has been designed to be lightweight, waterproof, size adjustable, and has long battery life. The overall design ensures energy efficiency, portability, stability, ease of access, and robust features.