SMART CANE INDEPENDENT NAVIGATION FOR VISUALLY IMAPIRED PERSONS

Mobility and independent navigation are critical issues for people with visual impairments, especially in environments where there are obstacles that are moving or difficult to detect. Traditional white canes provide limited sensory feedback and often miss detection of above-ground barriers or abrupt changes in the surface, including potholes. This project introduces a Smart Cane system that incorporates an Arduino and multiple ultrasonic sensors to identify descending hazards, like potholes, as well as moving and stationary obstacles in four directions (front, back, left, right). The Smart Cane communicates to users to perceive and react intuitively through the utilization of real-time vibration input via a single motor. Users will feel realistic patterns of vibration in response to the location and movement of obstacles. All the individual components, including sensors, Arduino and power supply, are securely attached to a regular cane, ensuring the device is compact and user-friendly. Not requiring a serial monitor, this inexpensive and portable system is intended for ambient use indoors and outdoors, including on streets, campuses, and in homes, thus enhancing safety, confidence, and autonomy for people with vision impairments through environmental awareness and navigation.