Position-Based Object Detector

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  Screenshot of circuit

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  Screenshot of code pt 1

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  Screenshot of code pt 2

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  Screenshot of code pt 3

General Description

There are not a lot of tools and devices currently available that can guide someone with visual impairment without manual operation. Our idea for this project was to create something that can not only detect when there's an obstacle or other object in someone's path, but to distinguish between when the user is sitting down or standing up. Generally, a nearby object is not necessarily a problem when someone is sitting, so we wanted to create a device that can detect that state/position and change the response.

Building Process

We started by identifying the major components we would require and getting familiar with TinkerCad's circuit building and coding interface. We knew we would require a switch, distance sensor, and piezo as the most essential components, and while brainstorming ways to advance the device, we had the idea to include a tilt sensor to make the device more useful.

Circuit Design

We utilized a tilt sensor, distance sensor, switch, and piezo in the creation of this circuit. The tilt sensor is used to determine whether the user is standing or sitting, which will then change the output tone produced by the piezo if the distance sensor detects a nearby object. The overall mechanism proceeds as such:

1. The switch turns the device on and the piezo plays a tone to indicate that it is activated.

2. The tilt sensor establishes a position - standing or sitting. If standing, the piezo buzzes to indicate it has recognized this state (3a). If the person is sitting, the piezo buzzes thrice (3b).

3a. If the distance sensor detects an object within roughly 5 feet of the sensor, a loud siren plays.

3b. Object detection does not lead to a tone being played.

Future

As visualized in the attached video, we want to implement this circuit in an easy-to-use, minimalist way. An idea we had was to attach the circuit to the back of a phone and implant the distance sensor to the side of a person's glasses. When the phone is in the user's pocket, the tilt sensor should be effective and be able to distinguish between standing and sitting.

Built With

• arduino