Assistance for visually impaired people based on ultrasonic navigation

Abstract

The assistance system for visually impaired people has been implemented by using ultrasonic principle to provide navigation. The presented system functions in 2 modes of operation that are obstacle recognition mode and fixed path mode. Obstacle detection mode uses grouping of ultrasonic transceivers for solid obstacle detection and water sensor to identify liquid obstacles by employing a microcontroller. The information about the obstacle is sent to the blind person via a voice mode by using android phone through Bluetooth device. In second mode which is preferably a fixed path mode the person is guided from start point to the end point for a particular path. The blind person can swap between the different modes by using the button present on the cane. Global positioning system (GPS) is used to instruct the person to move from one place to other. The projected system delivers whole direction and defence to a blind person for many situations.