Smart cane-an aid for the visually challenged

Abstract

This paper deals with the design of a smart cane to cater to the visually impaired in order to make them independent, conscious of their surroundings and able to move with ease. The various features are incorporated on to the cane as the visually impaired have been accustomed to it since many years. The designed cane can detect moving obstacles. It can also detect potholes, depression and elevation even before it makes contact with it. The smart cane is adept with detection of presence of hot object and slippery floor. Additionally, GPS module together with Arduino is used to obtain GPS coordinates of the user which is sent via an email to a loved one making it a great tool in case of an emergency. Moreover, auditory feedback via headphones is provided for every feature. The obtained results prove it to be an empathetic solution for the visually challenged.