Smart Blind Stick

Smart Blind Stick Introduction: We aim to make the life of the blind better and improve the ease of doing their daily tasks. We studied their daily life and observed their difficulties in life and society. As growing engineers, we think it is our responsibility to solve their issues and problems. Our wish is to make them walk and perform their daily routines as a normal person and make them forget their disability. We want to make the world a better place, where nobody should be discriminated on the basis of their disability. Taking the point of view of a blind person who is using a normal smart stick and walking in a street, He is directing his stick left and right, and now the stick is making noise constantly whenever it detects an object. This is irritating to the blind person as well as the passers-by. Even if the stick is connected to a headphone, it is still irritating to the blind person. Also, pointing the long stick all the time is a bit uncomfortable. Problem: We studied their life and found a number of problems where they face difficulty: Nowadays, smart sticks usually comes with a constant distance range — for example, the stick alerts the blind person when it reaches the defined distance, say 25 cm, the problem is that the blind person must actually get that close to be notified; if it is too far, like 50 or 75 cm, it detects the object too early, which brings unwanted confusion between objects. The size of the stick is too long and not conveniently portable. Additionally, it is not comfortable to hold it while walking. It does not offer the feeling of a normal person. Most smart sticks do not come with pit detection or water detection. As they cannot see, finding missing smart sticks become a problem. They cannot read texts other than Braille. Finding a desired location without others’ help is difficult. Recognition of objects in front of them is also a trouble. Solution:

Our idea is to create a pen-sized device with a supporting accessory attachable to shoes called a sensor box, which holds the sensors for pit detection, water detection, and object detection at ground level, and a gyro to learn the movement of legs and send that information to the smart stick (pen-sized) for processing and alerting. The sensor box is attachable to any kind of footwear. Apart from normal blind sticks, the pen-sized design offers them portability and a comfortable feeling. The key highlight of our project is that the blind person can actually calculate the distance between themselves and the object by using our device — thereby acting as a third eye. It is done by changing the intensity of vibration proportionally to the distance. Along with it, a bar (in the smart stick) also moves proportionally to the distance for clarity in measuring distance. So the blind person can feel the bar movement and analyse the distance to the object. The reason for vibration is that it alerts the blind more effectively than other alert systems, since humans are sensitive to vibration, and also it does not disturb others unlike sound. The blind person can find missing smart sticks using a mobile app (we can assign pressing the volume button three times to find the smart stick) as the stick triggers a buzzer to identify its location. There is a camera at the end of the smart stick which can be used for text input and dictating it to the blind person. The device also comes with an AI assistant which helps to recognise the surroundings and objects in front of them (assists through a headset), helps in navigating locations, alerts when harmful objects or surroundings are detected, and assists with any kind of actions as an AI with access to the camera. It also comes with day/night detection. There is an extendable rod at the end of the pen-sized smart stick for manual object detection if needed. Pit detection works with two ultrasonic sensors (in the sensor box) — one facing downwards to calculate ground distance, and the other slightly angled forward to measure the ground distance 10 cm ahead using the Pythagoras theorem. By comparing the two ground distances (current position and 10 cm forward), we can measure the difference between them and detect a pit.

Future Plan:

We would like to add a spatial object feedback system — it works something like a toy called the pin art toy or pin impression toy. It is a supporting accessory to the smart stick. It is a wearable assistive device designed to aid the blind in perceiving their surroundings through touch. It is mounted on the chest and uses a depth-sensing camera to detect the shape and position of objects in front of them. The information is then converted into a real-time 3D tactile representation on a dynamic pin matrix display attached to the chest. This way, the blind person can feel the pin matrix representation of objects and their position, making it feel like an image. It redefines how the blind can experience and interact with the world. Impact: Our Smart Blind Stick empowers the visually impaired with greater independence, safety, and confidence. It reduces social barriers, prevents accidents through advanced detection, and streamlines daily tasks with AI assistance. It’s portable, discreet design makes accessibility practical for anyone, anywhere — transforming blindness from a limitation into an empowered way of living. Thank you for taking the time to explore our vision. This project is more than just an innovation — it’s a step towards a better tomorrow, a better world where tech doesn’t just advance, it uplifts. Support and join us to reshape the future.

Built With

• arduino
• day/nightsensor
• irsensor
• raspberrypi
• speaker
• ultrasonicsensor
• vibrationmotor
• watersensor