Intelligent Walking Stick with Static and Dynamic Obstacle Detection Technology for Visually Challenged People

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnakumar. S ◽  
Bethanney Janney J ◽  
Umashankar. G ◽  
Lumen Christy. V ◽  
Banani Mridha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Obstacle Detection ◽  
Detection Technology ◽  
Visually Challenged ◽  
Dynamic Obstacle ◽  
Walking Stick

DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND TESTING OF A SMART STATIC AND DYNAMIC OBSTACLE WALKING STICK WITH EMF DETECTOR FOR THE BLINDS USING MCU AND CONTROLLING SOFTWARE

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 334-343
Author(s):  
Sani Abdullahi Adamu ◽  
Abdulkarim Adamu ◽  
M. S. Anas
Keyword(s):  
Electromagnetic Waves ◽  
Ultrasonic Waves ◽  
Project Work ◽  
Electrical Safety ◽  
Blind People ◽  
Visually Challenged ◽  
Dynamic Obstacle ◽  
Walking Stick ◽  
Modern Technologies ◽  
Design Construction

Smart static and dynamic obstacle walking stick with EMF detector is an upgraded smart stick designed for blind people for optimal navigation and electrical safety.  An advanced blind stick prototype that allows visually challenged people to navigate walking paths and identify electronic gadgets with ease using modern technologies is hereby developed. The blind stick is integrated with ultrasonic sensor along with an EMF detector. This prototype first uses ultrasonic sensors to sense obstacles ahead using ultrasonic waves. On sensing obstacles, the sensor directs this data to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then processes this data and examine if the obstacle is close enough. If the obstacle is not that close the circuit does nothing. If the obstacle is close the microcontroller sends a signal to sound a buzzer. One more feature is that it allows the blind to detect the presence of EMF (electromagnetic field/electromagnetic waves) in the region he/she is, if there is, the microcontroller also sends a signal to a vibration motor (i.e. the output is in form of vibration), and if otherwise, the circuit does not trigger and thus, the vibration motor does nothing. The results obtained from the measurements have shown that this project work is optimally working and indeed operative.

Unmanned vehicle dynamic obstacle detection, tracking and recognition method based on laser sensor

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-251
Author(s):  
Hualei Zhang ◽  
Mohammad Asif Ikbal
Keyword(s):  
Feature Fusion ◽  
Obstacle Detection ◽  
Geometric Features ◽  
Recognition Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Detection And Tracking ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Dynamic Obstacle ◽  
Real Vehicle ◽  
Temporal Feature

PurposeIn response to these shortcomings, this paper proposes a dynamic obstacle detection and tracking method based on multi-feature fusion and a dynamic obstacle recognition method based on spatio-temporal feature vectors.Design/methodology/approachThe existing dynamic obstacle detection and tracking methods based on geometric features have a high false detection rate. The recognition methods based on the geometric features and motion status of dynamic obstacles are greatly affected by distance and scanning angle, and cannot meet the requirements of real traffic scene applications.FindingsFirst, based on the geometric features of dynamic obstacles, the obstacles are considered The echo pulse width feature is used to improve the accuracy of obstacle detection and tracking; second, the space-time feature vector is constructed based on the time dimension and space dimension information of the obstacle, and then the support vector machine method is used to realize the recognition of dynamic obstacles to improve the obstacle The accuracy of object recognition. Finally, the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by real vehicle tests.Originality/valueThe paper proposes a dynamic obstacle detection and tracking method based on multi-feature fusion and a dynamic obstacle recognition method based on spatio-temporal feature vectors. The accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method are verified by real vehicle tests.

scholarly journals Sole Mate: Safe Path-Finding by Obstacle Detection and Distance Estimation for the Blind

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6S4) ◽  
pp. 50-54
Keyword(s):  
Haptic Feedback ◽  
Distance Estimation ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Obstacle Detection ◽  
Video Footage ◽  
System A ◽  
The World ◽  
Distance Sensor ◽  
Visually Challenged ◽  
Additional Device

The world has increased its demand for assistive technology (AT). There are a lot of researches and developments going on with respect to AT. Among the AT devices which are being developed, the need for a reliable and less expensive device which serves as an assistance for a visually challenged person is in serious demand all around the world. We, therefore, intend to provide a solution for this by constructing a device that has the capability to detect the obstacles within a given range for a visually challenged person and alerting the person about the obstacles. This involves various components like a camera for image detection, an ultrasonic distance sensor for distance estimation and a vibration motor which works on the principle of Haptic feedback and rotates with varied intensities depending on how far the obstacle is from the user. This paper presents a model which is a part of the footwear of the user and hence, no additional device is required to hold onto for assistance. The model involves the use of a microcontroller, a camera, to dynamically perceive the obstacles and a haptic feedback system to alert the person about the same. The camera dynamically acquires the real time video footage which is further processed by the microcontroller to detect the obstacles. Simultaneously, one more algorithm is being executed to estimate the distance with the help of an ultrasonic distance sensor. Depending on the distance, the frequency of the vibration motor, which acts as the output for notifying the user about the obstacle, is varied (haptic feedback). With this system, a visually challenged person will be able to avoid the obstacles successfully without the use of any additional device.

scholarly journals Uncertainty-Aware Visual Perception System for Outdoor Navigation of the Visually Challenged

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (8) ◽  
pp. 2385 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Dimas ◽  
Dimitris E. Diamantis ◽  
Panagiotis Kalozoumis ◽  
Dimitris K. Iakovidis
Keyword(s):  
Visual Perception ◽  
Obstacle Detection ◽  
Generative Adversarial Networks ◽  
Safe Navigation ◽  
Perception System ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Visual Aid ◽  
Fuzzy Logic Approach ◽  
Visually Challenged ◽  
Outdoor Navigation

Every day, visually challenged people (VCP) face mobility restrictions and accessibility limitations. A short walk to a nearby destination, which for other individuals is taken for granted, becomes a challenge. To tackle this problem, we propose a novel visual perception system for outdoor navigation that can be evolved into an everyday visual aid for VCP. The proposed methodology is integrated in a wearable visual perception system (VPS). The proposed approach efficiently incorporates deep learning, object recognition models, along with an obstacle detection methodology based on human eye fixation prediction using Generative Adversarial Networks. An uncertainty-aware modeling of the obstacle risk assessment and spatial localization has been employed, following a fuzzy logic approach, for robust obstacle detection. The above combination can translate the position and the type of detected obstacles into descriptive linguistic expressions, allowing the users to easily understand their location in the environment and avoid them. The performance and capabilities of the proposed method are investigated in the context of safe navigation of VCP in outdoor environments of cultural interest through obstacle recognition and detection. Additionally, a comparison between the proposed system and relevant state-of-the-art systems for the safe navigation of VCP, focused on design and user-requirements satisfaction, is performed.

Cane Mounted Knee-Above Obstacle Detection and Warning System for the Visually Impaired

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Balakrishnan ◽  
Kolin Paul ◽  
Ankush Garg ◽  
Rohan Paul ◽  
Dheeraj Mehra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Obstacle Detection ◽  
Independent Mobility ◽  
Distance Information ◽  
Detection Range ◽  
Knee Height ◽  
Detection Of Objects ◽  
White Cane ◽  
Visually Challenged

There are numerous constraints that visually challenged people face in independent mobility and navigation. They primarily use the white cane as a mobility aid allowing them to detect close by obstacles on the ground. The detection of objects above knee height is almost impossible and is a major hindrance for them. In this work, we have reported the design and implementation of a detachable unit which acts to augment the functionality of the existing white cane, to allow knee-above obstacle detection. This unit consists of an ultrasonic ranger and a vibrator controlled by an eight bit microcontroller to offer an increased detection range of three meters. The distance information is conveyed to the user through non-interfering multi-frequency vibratory stimuli, the frequency of vibration indicating the proximity of obstacles. This unit is also capable of detecting fast moving obstacles. Considerable effort has gone into the electromechanical design of this unit conveying the vibrations effectively and ensuring that it is easily attachable on the existing white cane without sighted assistance. A crucial design optimization goal was cost — the unit has been developed as a “low cost” device which is affordable by the poor in developing countries.

scholarly journals Design and Implementation of a Walking Stick Aid for Visually Challenged People

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nilima Sahoo ◽  
Hung-Wei Lin ◽  
Yeong-Hwa Chang
Keyword(s):  
Global Position System ◽  
Confidence Level ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Position System ◽  
Raspberry Pi ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Independent Life ◽  
Visually Challenged ◽  
Device Simple ◽  
Walking Stick

Visually challenged people (VCPs) face many difficulties in their routine life. Usually, in many cases, they need to depend upon others, which makes them unconfident in an unfamiliar environment. Thus, in this paper, we present an aid that helps in detecting obstacles and water puddles in their way. This system comprises a walking stick and Android-based applications (APPs). The walking stick is embedded with Raspberry Pi and programmable interface controller (PIC) as a control kernel, sensors, a global position system (GPS) module, and alert-providing components. Sensors help to detect obstacles, and the VCP is informed through vibrations or a buzzer according to the obstacle detected. The GPS module receives the coordinates of the VCP’s location, and the location can be tracked by parents using an APP. Another important APP is used, called an emergency APP, by which the VCP can communicate with parents or friends immediately by just shaking his/her cell phone or pushing the power button four times in 5 s in panic situations. We used fewer components to make the device simple, lighter, and cozy with very good features. This device will help VCPs to live an independent life up to some extent (with security), which ultimately will increase their confidence level in an unknown environment.

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