Enhancing Accessibility and Independence of Visually Impaired Individuals through AI, ML and IoT: The Development of a Smart Robot Assistant.

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a smart robot assistant designed to enhance accessibility and independence for visually impaired individuals by leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The system incorporates various sensors, including cameras, microphones, and distance sensors, with Raspberry Pi 4 and Nvidia RTX 3050 ti hardware to provide features such as voice recognition, obstacle detection, and navigation. The software is programmed using Python version 3.9.16 and utilizes important libraries such as Tensorflow, OpenCV, and PyAudio. Our study shows that the smart robot assistant can offer numerous benefits, including increased mobility, safety, and independence, by recognizing and responding to voice commands, identifying obstacles and avoiding collisions, and providing audio feedback on its location and surroundings. However, successful adoption requires addressing several challenges, including improving the accuracy and reliability of obstacle detection, ensuring privacy and security, and reducing costs. The propose strategies to overcome these challenges, such as leveraging AI and ML technologies, collaborating with stakeholders, and promoting regulatory frameworks. In conclusion, this paper highlights the potential of AI, ML, and IoT technologies in developing smart robots to enhance the accessibility and independence of visually impaired individuals. By addressing the aforementioned challenges and incorporating user feedback, these systems have the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for this population.