Blind Stick Using Arduino Uno(Automation Project)

 Project : 3

Blind Stick

Description

The Blind Stick is a simple yet effective device designed to assist visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings. Utilizing an ultrasonic sensor, the stick detects obstacles in its path and alerts the user through a buzzer. This early warning system helps the user avoid collisions and navigate safely.

Required Components

1. Arduino Board: The main microcontroller that processes sensor data and controls the buzzer.
2. Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04): Used to measure the distance to obstacles.
• Trig Pin: Trigger pin to send the ultrasonic pulse.
• Echo Pin: Echo pin to receive the reflected pulse.
3. Buzzer: Provides audible alerts when an obstacle is detected.
4. Connecting Wires: For connecting the components to the Arduino.
5. Power Supply: Adequate power supply for the Arduino and sensors.

Working Principle

1. Initialization:
• The Arduino initializes serial communication for debugging purposes.
• The ultrasonic sensor's trigger and echo pins, as well as the buzzer pin, are set up.
2. Distance Measurement:
• The ultrasonic sensor sends out an ultrasonic pulse via the trig pin.
• This pulse travels through the air and reflects back when it hits an obstacle.
• The echo pin receives the reflected pulse, and the Arduino calculates the time it took for the pulse to travel to the obstacle and back.
3. Distance Calculation:
• The time duration recorded is used to calculate the distance to the obstacle in both centimeters and inches.
• These distance values are printed to the serial monitor for debugging and monitoring purposes.
4. Obstacle Detection:
• The Arduino continuously measures the distance to obstacles.
• If the distance to an obstacle is less than a predefined threshold (e.g., 25 cm), the Arduino activates the buzzer to alert the user.
• If the distance is greater than the threshold, the buzzer is turned off.

Circuit Diagram:

Code:

const int trigPin = 9;

const int echoPin = 10;

long duration;

int distanceCm, distanceInch;

void setup() {

  Serial.begin(9600);

  pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);

  pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);

  pinMode(5, OUTPUT); // Connect Buzzer Pin D5

}

void loop() {

  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

  delayMicroseconds(2);

  digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);

  delayMicroseconds(10);

  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);

  duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);

  distanceCm = duration * 0.034 / 2;

  distanceInch = duration * 0.0133 / 2;

  Serial.println("Distance: ");

  Serial.println(distanceCm);

  delay(100);

  // See the Ultrasonic Sensor Value in Serial Monitor

  if (distanceCm < 25) { // You can change the value

    digitalWrite(5, HIGH); // Buzzer ON

  } else {

    digitalWrite(5, LOW); // Buzzer OFF

  }

}

Conclusion

The Blind Stick is a practical assistive device for visually impaired individuals, providing a reliable way to detect and avoid obstacles. The use of an ultrasonic sensor to measure distances and a buzzer to alert the user ensures a straightforward and effective solution. This project can be expanded with additional features such as vibration motors for tactile feedback or GPS modules for navigation assistance, further enhancing the independence and safety of visually impaired users.