Thesis on Blind Man Stick Using
Arduino UNO
Abstract
The "Blind Man Stick" is an innovative assistive device designed to aid visually impaired
individuals in navigating their surroundings safely. This project incorporates an Arduino
UNO board and an Ultrasonic Sensor to detect obstacles and provide real-time feedback.
The device ensures enhanced mobility and independence for the visually impaired by
alerting them to nearby obstacles.
Introduction
Millions of people around the world face challenges due to visual impairments. Traditional
walking canes provide tactile feedback but do not alert users to obstacles beyond their
immediate reach. This project aims to develop a smart walking stick that uses ultrasonic
sensors to detect obstacles and notify the user via vibrations or sound signals.
Materials Required
● Arduino UNO board (for processing inputs and controlling output signals)
● Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04) (for detecting obstacles)
● Long PVC Pipe (as the base structure for the walking stick)
● Jumper Wires (for connecting the components)
● Buzzer or Vibration Motor (to alert the user)
● 9V Battery with Battery Clip (for power supply)
Working Principle
The ultrasonic sensor emits sound waves that reflect off obstacles and return to the sensor.
The Arduino processes this data and calculates the distance between the stick and the
object. If an obstacle is detected within a predefined range, a buzzer or vibration motor is
activated to alert the user.
Circuit Connections
● Connect the VCC of the ultrasonic sensor to the 5V pin of the Arduino.
● Connect the GND of the sensor to the GND of the Arduino.
● Connect the Trigger (Trig) Pin of the sensor to Digital Pin 9 of the Arduino.
● Connect the Echo Pin of the sensor to Digital Pin 10 of the Arduino.
● Connect the Buzzer/Vibration Motor to Digital Pin 11 (with appropriate resistors if
needed).
Arduino Code
/*
* make a smart stick that helps the Blind
*/
#define trigPin 9
#define echoPin 8
#define Buzzer1 5//active
#define Buzzer2 7//passive
#define Led1 6//Vibration
int sound = 250;
void setup() {
Serial.begin (9600);
pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
pinMode(Buzzer1, OUTPUT);
pinMode(Buzzer2, OUTPUT);
pinMode(Led1, OUTPUT);
}
void loop() {
Serial.begin(9600);
long duration, distance;
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delay(2);
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
delay(10);
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
distance = (duration/2) / 29.1;
digitalWrite(Buzzer1, LOW);
digitalWrite(Buzzer2, LOW);
digitalWrite(Led1, LOW);
if (distance<40) {
digitalWrite(Led1, HIGH);
delay(2000);
}
if (distance<20) {
digitalWrite(Led1, HIGH);
delay(2000);
digitalWrite(Buzzer1, HIGH);
delay(2000);
}
if (distance<10) {
digitalWrite(Led1, HIGH);
delay(2000);
digitalWrite(Buzzer1, HIGH);
delay(2000);
digitalWrite(Buzzer2, HIGH);
delay(2000);
}
}
Conclusion
The Blind Man Stick is an effective, low-cost, and easily implementable assistive device. By
integrating an ultrasonic sensor with an Arduino UNO, the device enhances mobility and
safety for visually impaired individuals. Future enhancements could include integrating GPS
modules, Bluetooth connectivity, or AI-based obstacle detection for better usability.
Future Scope
● Adding GPS tracking for navigation assistance.
● Implementing voice assistance for object detection.
● Connecting to mobile apps for real-time location sharing.
References
1. Arduino Documentation: https://www.arduino.cc
2. Ultrasonic Sensor HC-SR04 Datasheet
3. Research papers on assistive technology for visually impaired individuals
