Sensing Cane

I built a prototype cane for blind people that would detect any object within two feet of a blind person, and if there was an obstruction, then the cane would vibrate. This allows the blind person to know that there is an obstacle.

I used an Arduino Uno, Arduino Motor Shield, a Ping Ultrasonic Sensor, a DC motor, a doorbell cover, common household wires, PVC pipes, a 9V battery, and a small broken wheel.

I programmed the Arduino Uno with the motor shield to detect any object from the Ping Ultrasonic sensor, within two feet, if an obstacle existed, then the system would relay the signals to a DC motor (which provided for the vibration). The actual cane was built with the doorbell cover protecting the Arduino and breadboard (with a compartment for the 9V battery) and wires were connected to the motor from the Arduino up a chain of PVC pipes as the cane. The wheel was placed at the bottom of the cane to allow for movement for a blind person.

Built With

• arduino
• battery
• dc-motor
• ping-ultrasonic-sensor
• pvc-pipes