Cost efficient autonomous navigation system (e-cane) for visually impaired human beings

Abstract

We present our research on an automated smart cane (e-cane) for blind people in this paper. This device is based on robotics with an improved and unique algorithm of object detection by Ultrasonic sensors to detect objects placed in front of the user and down on the floor precisely and accurately. To detect objects, a high frequency sound wave is produced and the reflected sound wave is received by the ultrasonic sensor. A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) based gyroscope is used in our prototype so that the position of ultrasonic sensor to detect the objects placed down on the floor can remain fixed even when the users move his hand holding this prototype. Whenever an object comes in front of a user, a piezoelectric beeper gives alarm to user to be cautious about his/her movement. Moreover, our prototype tells the user how far the object is and where it is placed-whether in front of him and or on the ground. An interesting part of this project is that the language to give commands to the user can be any language of this world. We used here only Bengali language.