An Intelligent Walking Stick for the Visually Impaired in Developing Nations

Advancements in assistive technology have opened new avenues for enhancing the mobility and autonomy of individuals with visual impairments. This research introduces a smart walking stick, designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings safely and efficiently. The device incorporates an ESP32 Cam, Arduino MCU, sonar sensor, battery, buzzer, and LED, offering real-time detection of obstacles and environmental feedback. The sonar sensor detects nearby objects, while the buzzer and LED provide auditory and visual alerts, improving user awareness. Additionally, the ESP32 Cam enables the possibility of future upgrades, such as image capture and object recognition for enhanced situational awareness. This affordable and scalable solution is designed to offer practical assistance in low-resource environments. The test results indicate the device's potential to significantly improve navigation safety for visually impaired individuals, with scope for future integration with IoT and AI technologies.