Multi-sensor Obstacle Detection System via Model-based State-Feedback Control in Smart Cane Design for the Visually Challenged

The statistics provided by the World Health Organization, the number of people suffering from visual impairment is approximately 1.3 billion. The number of blind and visually impaired people is expected to increase over the coming years, and it is estimated to triple by the end of 2050 which is quite alarming. Keeping the needs and problems faced by the visually impaired people in mind, we have come up with a technological solution that is a “Smart Cane device” that can help people having sight impairment to navigate with ease and to avoid the risk factors surrounding them.

Technological tools aiming for assisting blind are known as electronic travel aids (EDAs). EADs can be divided into two categories, depending on their main use. The first category helps the blind to orient themselves in their environment while traveling to a given destination. The second category provides warning for the presence of obstacles and facilitates the selection of a path without pitfalls.

 Our project is about this second category. It is a stick equipped with several sensors aiming to facilitate indoor and outdoor navigation.  An analysis of existing technologies shows that the research has largely focused on outdoor navigation the GPS (Global Positioning System) being the main sensor used for this purpose. Our interest is in indoor navigation.

Keywords: Ultrasonic sensor, Bluetooth, Arduino uno.