SMART BLIND STICK USING ULTRASONIC

SENSOR AND ARDUINO

1. Introduction

Blind individuals often face challenges in navigating their surroundings, which can lead to
feelings of isolation and decreased independence. Smart technology, such as GPS and GSM
modules, can help to address these challenges by providing real-time information on location
and environmental hazards. This research paper explores the design and implementation of a
smart blind stick that integrates a Neo-6M GPS module, a SIM800L GSM module, an Arduino
Heart Beat sensor, and water and fire sensors.

2. Design and Implementation

The smart blind stick is designed using an Arduino microcontroller, which allows for the
integration of various sensors and modules. The Neo-6M GPS module is used to provide the
user with real-time information on their location, while the SIM800L GSM module allows for
communication with a caregiver or emergency services in case of an emergency. The Arduino
Heart Beat sensor is used to monitor the user's heart rate and send alerts if it exceeds a certain
threshold. The water and fire sensors are used to detect potential hazards in the environment,
such as a flooded area or a fire.

The GPS module is connected to the Arduino microcontroller via serial communication, and the
GSM module is connected through the use of software serial library. The Heart Beat sensor is
connected to the analog input of the microcontroller. The water and fire sensors are connected
to the digital inputs of the microcontroller. Once the sensors are connected, the
microcontroller can read the data and send it to a smartphone or a remote server through
GSM module.

3. Hardware Components

The project includes a simple electronic system that includes the following components: Walking
Stick, Heart rate monitor, Arduino uno r3 , Ultrasonic sensor, Buzzer , Neo 6M GPS Module , Fire
sensor , Water sensor ,Gsm module SIM 800L

4. Components
4.1. Heart rate monitor

A heart rate monitor is a device that measures the number of times a person's heart beats per
minute. It can be worn as a chest strap or wristwatch and can be used for monitoring fitness
and tracking changes in heart rate during exercise. Some heart rate monitors can also provide
other information such as calories burned or distance traveled.

4.2. Ultrasonic Sensor

An ultrasonic sensor is a device that uses high-frequency sound waves to measure distance or
detect the presence of an object. It works by emitting a sound wave at a frequency above the
range of human hearing and measuring the time it takes for the wave to bounce back after it
hits an object. This time, known as the echo time, is used to calculate the distance to the
object. Ultrasonic sensors can be used in a variety of applications, including measuring distance
in industrial automation, object detection in robotics, and measuring water levels in tanks.

4.3. Arduino uno R3

Arduino Uno R3 is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P microcontroller. It is one

of the most popular boards in the Arduino family and is often used for projects that involve
controlling sensors, motors, and other devices. The board has 14 digital input/output pins, 6
analog inputs, a 16 MHz quartz crystal, a USB connection, and a power jack. It can be
programmed using the Arduino programming language and development environment, which
makes it easy for beginners to get started with microcontroller programming and electronics.
Arduino Uno R3 can be used for a variety of projects, including home automation, robotics, and
interactive art.

4.4. Neo 6m GPS module

The Neo 6M GPS module is a device that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to
determine the precise location of a device. It uses signals from GPS satellites to calculate the
device's latitude, longitude, and altitude. The module can provide this information in the form
of NMEA sentences, which can then be parsed by a microcontroller or computer to extract the
relevant information. This module is based on the U-Blox NEO-6M GPS chip and it is a cost-
effective solution for adding GPS functionality to a wide range of projects, such as drones,
robotic vehicles, and location tracking devices. It can communicate with the microcontroller
using serial communication and it can also have a built-in antenna or an external one.

4.5. Fire sensor

A fire sensor is a device that is used to detect the presence of fire and to trigger an alarm or
other response when a fire is detected.Fire sensors are commonly used in residential and
commercial buildings, and are an important part of fire safety systems. They can be connected
to an alarm panel, which then sounds an alarm and sends a signal to the fire department. They
can also be integrated with other fire safety systems, such as sprinklers and smoke ventilation
systems

4.6. Water sensor

A water sensor is a device that is used to detect the presence of water and to trigger an alarm
or other response when water is detected.Water sensors are commonly used in residential and
commercial buildings, and are an important part of flood prevention and water damage
protection systems. They can be connected to an alarm panel, which then sounds an alarm and
sends a signal to the homeowner or maintenance personnel. They can also be integrated with
other systems, such as automatic shut-off valves for water supply and sump pumps.

4.7. Gsm module SIM 800L

The SIM800L is a GSM/GPRS module that allows for wireless communication with a
microcontroller or computer. It is based on the SIM800L chip from SIMCom and it is a cost-
effective solution for adding GSM/GPRS functionality to a wide range of projects, such as
remote control, data logging, and asset tracking.It can be controlled by AT commands, which
makes it easy to interface with a microcontroller or computer.

5. Working

The smart blind stick would work by using ultrasonic sensor. Ultrasonic sensor measure the
distance between the stick and any obstacles in the user's environment, allowing the stick
to navigate and avoid obstacles. The Arduino microcontroller would be used to control the
various components of the stick, such as the GPS and GSM modules, the heart rate
monitor, and the sensors for fire and water. Then GPS module determine the stick's
location, while the GSM module would allow the stick to communicate with the user's
smartphone or other devices. The heart rate monitor would measure the user's heart rate,
and the stick could use this information to adjust its speed or other settings to match the
user's needs. The buzzer would produce an audible alert when certain conditions are met,
such as when the stick detects a fire or a low battery level. The fire sensor would detect
the presence of fire and the water sensor would detect the presence of water. The LED
would be used for visual feedback and indication . All this information is sent to the user
via GSM module. We can see all the information like heart rate of that person , location of
that person
6. Circuit Diagram
7. Conclusion

The smart blind stick is a promising tool for improving the navigation and safety of blind
individuals. The integration of GPS, GSM, Heart Beat sensor, water and fire sensors allows for
real-time information on location, emergency communication, and detection of potential
hazards. Further testing and refinement of the design is needed, but it holds a lot of potential
for improving the independence and quality of life for blind individuals.

8. Note:

It is highly recommended to conduct a thorough literature review and consult with experts in
the field before undertaking any engineering project. Also, please note that the model is not
familiar with the exact working and pin connections of the mentioned sensors and modules.

9. Acknowledgement

The team members would like to acknowledge the efforts of our project guide, DR GURMEET
SINGH, her continuous efforts have propelled us to achieve our ideas. We would also like to
thank all of our friends who have given valuable inputs in the pursuit of this project. We would
also like to thank our college: GURU TEGH BAHADUR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for
providing us with the infrastructure to perform the project.

10. References

[1] Amjed S. Al-Fahoum, Heba B. Al-Hmoud, and Ausaila A. Al-Fraihat. “A Smart Infrared
Microcontroller-Based Blind GuidanceSystem” Biomedical Systems and Informatics
Engineering
Department, Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163,
Jordan,2011

[2] N.Mahmud, R.K.Saha, R.B. Zafar, M.B.H. Bhuian, and S.S.Sarwar, “Vibration and Voice
Operated Navigation System for Visually Impaired Person,” In Informatics, Electronics & Vision
(ICIEV), International Conference on IEEE, pp. 1-5, 2014.

[3] Amjed S. Al-Fahoum, Heba B. Al-Hmoud, and Ausaila A. Al-Fraihat, “A Smart Infrared
Microcontroller-Based Blind Guidance System”. Active and Passive Electronic Components,
2013

. [4] Manoj Kumar, Rohitverma, Mukesh Kumar, Shekhar Singh4, Er. Thakurendra
Singh.”Ultrasonic Based Smart Blind Stick For VisuallyImpaired Persons” International Journal
of Advanced Research in Electrical, Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering , 2017

[5] Ashraf Anwar, Sultan Aljahdali .” A Smart Stick for Assisting Blind People”. IOSR Journal of
Computer Engineering (IOSR-JCE), Volume 19, Issue 3, Ver. II www.iosrjournals.org 86, 2017