Enhancing Mobility: A Smart Cane with Integrated Navigation System and Voice-Assisted Guidance for the Visually Impaired

Blindness is a condition which affects many people, and for the affected people, quality of life can take a big hit. Most blind people already use walking sticks to feel the terrain in front of them as they move around and navigate using touch and sound. However, they cannot judge distances to objects until the cane actually hits the object. In some cases, the contact with the cane may damage the object. Hence, it may be better to have some early warning system so that there is less likelihood of causing damage. This paper presents the design and development of a “Smart Cane” aimed at enhancing mobility and safety for visually impaired individuals. The cane incorporates ultrasonic sensors to detect objects in the user's surroundings. When an object is detected within a specified distance range, the cane provides haptic feedback through a bidirectional vibration motor, alerting the user to its presence. The microcontroller-based system processes data from both sensors and efficiently manages power consumption to ensure extended battery life. The device's design includes user-friendly controls and an ergonomic enclosure to offer ease of use and protection for the electronic components. Further, there is built-in navigation via online Map API. With the convenience of navigating oneself without external assistance, the “Smart Cane” demonstrates great potential to improve the independence and confidence of visually impaired individuals in navigating their environments safely.