iSight

The increasing number of disabilities in people of various countries attracts the attention of researchers to create different technologies. These technologies bring the hope that disabled people can carry out their tasks of everyday life like normal people. The increasing trend of people with disab

Project Title

iSight

Project Area of Specialization

Mechatronics Engineering

Project Summary

The increasing number of disabilities in people of various countries attracts the attention of researchers to create different technologies. These technologies bring the hope that disabled people can carry out their tasks of everyday life like normal people. The increasing trend of people with disabilities has been reported by WHO (World Health Organization ) and Disabled Welfare Association. The major center of attraction is blindness. Based on the statistics, the spread of blindness among people of all ages in Pakistan is limited to 0.9% (95% CI, 0.8% –1.0%). The estimated value for blind people of all ages in Pakistan in 2003 is an estimated 1.25 million (1.1–1.35 million). Population projections are being used for all Pakistanis, and the number of blind people in Pakistan will rise to about 2.4 million by 2020, assuming blindness has not changed.

Visionless people use a white stick or walking stick. It is a mechanical device that is dedicated to detecting static ground obstacles, holes, uneven areas, steps, and other dangers with a simple tactile-force response.

The designed smart cane is named as i-Sight as it will provide the power of vision to blind people. i-Sight consists of ultrasonic sensors, microcontroller raspberry pi 4, DC motor, and multidirectional Omni-wheel. All these components are integrated and embedded on a foldable stick and the functions of all these components will combine to give the following characteristics.

• The ultrasonic sensors will detect the presence of different obstacles in the way of a blind person using the stick.
• The sensor will send the information to the microcontroller and the information is processed.
• Then the processed information will change the direction of the wheel which is embedded with the motor and is attached at the bottom of the wheel 
• A message is given to the user and as a result, the direction is automatically changed which will help the user to avoid obstacles and getting hurt.
• The proposed solution will also help to detect the upward and downward staircase. 

Project Objectives

Objectives:

1) The main objective is to design a smart cane for visually impaired people.

2) The system should be able to move upward and downwards the staircase.

3) To calculate the exact distance of the obstacle (static only) and to communicate the user through haptic feedback and audio output.

All these components are integrated and embedded on a foldable stick and the functions of all these components will combine to give the following characteristics.

• The ultrasonic sensors will detect the presence of different obstacles in the way of a blind person using the stick.
• The sensor will send the information to the microcontroller and the information is processed.
• Then the processed information will change the direction of the wheel which is embedded with the motor and is attached at the bottom of the wheel 
• A message is given to the user and as a result, the direction is automatically changed which will help the user to avoid obstacles and getting hurt.
• The proposed solution will also help to detect the upward and downward staircase.

Project Implementation Method

One of the most basic and important features of the smart cane is obstacle detection. The most crucial problem that a blind person faces is navigation. They find it difficult to move around and detect obstacles. This problem is addressed in our project and rectified using a set of sensors. The requirement of this project is that we need such sensors which can efficiently detect obstacles present in its path and find the distance. For this purpose, we are using ultrasonic sensors. An ultrasonic sensor works by sending out ultrasonic waves. The sensor has a transmitter as well as a receiver. Ultrasonic waves are sent out through the transmitter and after reflection from the obstacle, they are received by the receiver. The time is measured from the transmission of the wave to when the reflected wave is received and this time is then used to find the distance of the obstacle.

Distance = 1/2 (T*C)

Where C is the speed of sound waves and the T is the total time between transmitting and receiving waves and by taking half the one time is calculated. Using this formula, we find the distance of the obstacle and if that obstacle is present closer than the minimum threshold value that we have set manually, the user is informed of its presence. Five Ultrasonic sensors will be placed on the cane at different positions. The first ultrasonic sensor will be attached through a servo motor at the front of the stick that can give complete 180 degrees of rotation. It will be primarily used to detect the front obstacles, staircase (up and down), height, and distance of the obstacle. The third ultrasonic sensor will be placed on the left side of the stick which will help us in detecting left obstacles along with the distance. But assuming that the users hold the stick in their right hand, the legs won’t be detected as an obstacle. The left obstacle will be detected only if it is present beyond the legs of the user and for this, we have set the threshold value manually. Similarly, the fourth ultrasonic sensor will help us in detecting the right obstacles and the fifth sensor will be used for depth measurement.

After getting the data from sensors, the next step is to process this information using artificial intelligence algorithms and taking appropriate decisions to guide the user. The information is decoded by using a rule-based system and then it allows the system to make decisions.

The output is given in the form of audio since the person is blind. For audio output, we have used the ‘os’ library in python. It generates a .wav file which is then played. The output is being played as soon as the obstacle, face, or object is detected. To avoid the continuously annoying audio, flags have been implemented so that the user listens to the output only once and does not hear it repeatedly for the same object.

The ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04 offers an excellent range for obstacle detection with accuracy as calculated above. From a minimum range of 2 cm to a maximum range of 400 cm.

Benefits of the Project

Our purposed idea stands out from the others as it is:

1. Cost-effective

2. Foldable and easy to carry

3. Accurate

4. Effective for both indoors and outdoor.

5. Can also detect staircase for the user.

6. Lightweight.

7. Also provide smooth motion to the user using Omni wheel.

Other features also include:

• Ergonomic grip for comfortable holding and cane tapping: Can be held by different gripping styles, allowing users to use their natural cane holding and mobility techniques.
• Adjustable detection range: The user can switch between long (3 meters) and short (1.8 meters) range mode depending on the usage scenarios such as outdoor, indoor, or crowded places.
• High detection sensitivity: The sensors can detect a 3-centimeter wide pipe from 3 meters distance, ensuring reliable detection of objects within the detection range.
• Four intuitive and distinctive vibration patterns indicate obstacle distance.
• Vibrations are uniformly produced on the entire grip: Non-localized vibration feedback allows the user to conveniently grip the device.
• Do not interfere with the auditory environment surrounding the user Vibrations allow discreet continuous use without making the user conscious or creating annoyance to others
• Adjustable sensor orientation: This allows people of different heights and with different cane holding styles to direct the sensors appropriately.
• In-built rechargeable battery with a long battery back-up: Easy charging like a cell phone. Removing batteries for charging is not required.
• Fully accessible user interface: Simple and distinguishable beeps to convey the battery charge status, low battery warning, and charging status.
• Failure detection of key components: Users are informed immediately of the failure of sensors and/ or vibrators through special alarm signals.
• Detects fast-approaching objects in the detection range: Especially helpful in the detection of reversing vehicles.
• Easy attachment/detachment from a white cane: This allows for compatible white cane replacement by the user himself.
• Multiple color options: Available in two non-flashy and elegant colors
• Robust design: Can withstand accidental fall
• Splash proof: Prevents damage during light rain
• Conforms to international quality standards

 

Price

Range

Availability

Accuracy

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Attributes

Input variables

Output variables

Sensory feedback

Reference Inputs

Actuator

Controller design 

Final Deliverable of the Project

Hardware System

Core Industry

Health

Other Industries

Medical

Core Technology

Wearables and Implantables

Other Technologies

Artificial Intelligence(AI)

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com