Bachelor in Science Computer Engineering

Project Design Capsule

1. Basic Information

Project Title: micro controller base automatic belt walking assistant for the blind using ultrasonic
sensors, with GSM module (Global System for Mobile Communications, originally Groupe Spécial
Mobile) for pinpointing user’s location.

Topic: microcontroller base automatic proximity sensor for the blind using the following:
 ultrasonic sensor (for proximity sensor)
 text to speech program
 GSM module for tracking (via text message)
Researcher: Jacob Israel R. Militar

2. Technical Description
Background of the study

We as human beings depend on our five senses to survive and live in this world, and since
ancient times there are many documented facts about how the life of one being becomes
hard when he/she loses one of it or born without one of it. It can be sense of hearing, taste
smell, or touch, but this project is about the lack of sight. But as the time passes human have
developed ways to cope with this problem, from physical adaptation like learning
echolocation that is used by some marine life like dolphins and whales, And nocturnal animal
like bats and moth, And to the use of stick and other guiding devices.

This project is the combination of the two, by using a micro controller it is in the form of a
guiding device that uses ultrasonic sensor that senses an obstacle and can also determine
how far that obstacle is, just like echolocation. A software that can orally tell the user where
the right direction to go, and different sensors to help the user to know his or her
surroundings. And it can also inform the guardian of the user where his or her location is.

Objectives:
General Objective:
This Project is Developed to enhance spatial awareness and help the blind to know what kind of
environment they are in. in low cost and high accuracy.
Specific Objectives:
1.to enhance spatial and environmental awareness. (wet, or dry, rough or flat surface.)
2.to give prerecorded instructions according to the situation and environment.
3.to sense the time of the day whether it is day or night (normal mode, dark mode)
5.to give information to the guardian of the blind where their location is, through text message. (by
the use of GSM)

How did others Solved the Problems? (15 articles)

[1] World Health Organization, "Universal eye health: a global action plan 2014-2019"World Health
Organization 2014.
[2] Rene Farcy, Roger Leroux, Alain Jucha, Ronald Damaschini, Colette Gregoire, Aziz Zogaghi "
Electronic Travel Aids And Electronic Orientation Aids For blind people: Technical, Rehabilitation And
Everyday Life Points Of View", Conference & Workshop on Assistive Technologies for People with
Vision & Hearing Impairments Technology for Inclusion CVHI 2006.
[3] Gayathri, G., Vishnupriya, M., Nandhini, R., and Banupriya, M. M.”SMART WALKING STICK FOR
VISUALLY IMPAIRED.” International Journal Of Engineering And Computer Science, Vol.3, pp.4057-
4061,2014.
[4] K. Chaitrali, D. Yogita, K. Snehal, D. Swati, and D. Aarti, "An intelligent walking stick for the blind,"
International Journal of Engineering Research and General Science, vol. 3, Issue1, November, 2016.
[5] Ankit Agarwal, Deepak Kumar, Abhishek Bhardwaj "Ultrasonic Stick for Blind," International
Journal of Engineering and Computer Science, vol. 4, Issue 4, April, 2015.
[6] Anon, n.d. Electronic Walking Stick for the Blind, s. 1.:s.n.
[7] Johann Borenstein, and Iwan Ulrich "The Guide Cane-A Computerized Travel Aid for The Active
Guidance Of Blind Pedestrians," IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation,
Albuquerque, NM, Apr.21-27, 1997.
[8] Sylvain Cardin, Daniel Thalmann and Frederic Vexo, “Wearable Obstacle Detection System for
visually impaired People”.
[9] "Debouncing contacts and switches in embedded systems,". [Online]. Available:
http://www.ganssle.com/debouncing.htm. Accessed: Nov. 1. 2016.
[10] ]"Debouncing contacts and switches in embedded systems,". [Online]. Available:
http://www.ganssle.com/debouncing.htm. Accessed: Nov. 1. 2016.
[11] I. Ulrich and J. Borenstein, “The GuideCane—applying mobile robot technologies to assist the
visually impaired,” Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Part A: Systems and Humans, IEEE Transactions on,
vol. 31, 2001.
[12] A. J. Rentschler, R. Simpson, R. A. Cooper, and M. L. Boninger, “Clinical evaluation of Guido
robotic walker,” Journal of Rehabilitation Research & Development, vol. 45, no. 9, 2008.
[13] L. Kay, “A sonar aid to enhance spatial perception of the blind: engineering design and
evaluation,” Radio and Electronic Engineer, vol. 44, 1974.
[14] A. Rodr´ıguez, J. J. Yebes, P. F. Alcantarilla, L. M. Bergasa, J. Almazan, ´ and A. Cela, “Assisting the
visually impaired: obstacle detection and warning system by acoustic feedback,” Sensors, vol. 12,
2012.
[15] S. Shoval, J. Borenstein, and Y. Koren, “Auditory guidance with the Navbelt—a computerized
travel aid for the blind,” Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C: Applications and Reviews, IEEE
Transactions on, vol. 28, 1998.
 How do you intend to solve the problem?

By using proximity and motion detector sensor like infrared, ultrasonic sensor, and PIR sensor we can
Enhance the spatial awareness of the blind and with the use of text to speech program we can orally
give them direction, and by using Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) we can help them to know what
time of the day it is. And with GSM feature in this device user can be located by their guardian via text
message.

Target Users:
People who are blind, since birth or people who had accident or illness that lead to their disability.

Significance of the Study:

This study can help the blind people in the community to lessen their burden
By giving them more spatial awareness, security, and independence.
This project can lessen the accident that can happen to a blind person, by giving him or her
A companion that can show them the right way and give them information about the obstacles in the
vicinity.
Proposed methodology(discuss the architectural block diagram)

figure 1.

battery

Ultrasonic
sensor left Vibrator left

Ultrasonic
Vibrator speaker
sensor
center center

Ultrasonic Vibrator
sensor right
Arduino right

LDR (light Light

dependent emitting
resistor diode

GSM
Button 1 module

Air
Mobile phone
As it has been noted earlier the implanted smart walking belt scheme corresponds of several
ultrasonic sensors. the microcontroller operates the whole system by functioning and linking the
data gathered by the sensor in good order.
Figure 1 shows Physical Structure of Smart stick the sensor-based circuitry consisting of sensors
ultrasonic Sensor is used to detect ranges from obstacles. The microcontroller reads these
sensors and drives a buzzer, a LED and a motor with PWM. Vibratory module comprises with a
Micro Pager Motor which outputs is assured by PWM to obtain different vibratory pattern. An
audio output is designated by a buzzer alarm. The output signals are operated by PWM to hold
distinct sound form as well as it indicates the scheme’s status. The output indications provided
by the microcontroller are distinctive as per sensor. Based on the strength of vibration of the
motor or the beeping of the buzzer or the blinking of the LED embedded with the stick a
disabled person may determine if he/she is walking towards an obstacle or edge or a large
opening at nearby bottom or something similar. At the same time, he/she may get the sense of
his/her distance from nearby objects. The microcontroller and power circuitry (preferably
battery based) are the crucial part of the scheme. The simplicity of the design makes it easy to
use by any person and at the same time the cost of manufacturing such sticks is kept low.