Development of an IoT-Based Intelligent Guide Stick to Provide Improved Navigation Skills to Blind People

Moving from one place to another is the biggest barrier for a visually impaired person. They find it extremely difficult to move around physically while traveling or even just walking through a crowded street. During their journey, they have to face obstacles, confusing directions, unexpected stairs, water, and clay soil. Sometimes they may get into trouble or be lost, and at that time, it becomes necessary to inform their families about their location. These problems for blind people can be solved with the smart blind stick, which will work as an Electronic Travel Aid (ETA). This system consists of five features: object detection, surface water detection, direction recommendation, voice alert, and location sharing. The Smart Blind Stick solves the problem by using ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles within a 0 to 25 cm range and a soil moisture sensor to detect obstacles such as moving or fixed objects, stairs, water, and clay soil. With the help of GPS and GSM modules, it provides a location-sharing feature to allow these blind people to walk fearlessly and freely in both indoor and outdoor environments. Some blind people have used this device after its successful implementation. Their views have been discussed. This stick is an affordable, quick-to-respond, and lightweight device.