Title: Design and data analysis for a belt-for-blind for visual impaired people

Authors: Eklas Hossain; Raisuddin Khan; Ahad Ali

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 2200 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA. ' Department of Mechatronics Engineering, International Islamic University of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 53100, Malaysia. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 21000, USA

Abstract: This research designs a new walking support system for the blind people in order to navigate without any assistance from others or using any guide cane. With the help of this device, a user can move independently and able to walk freely almost like a normal person. In this research, a belt for blind wearable around the waist is equipped with four ultrasonic sensors and one sharp infrared sensor. A mathematical model has been developed based on the specifications of the ultrasonic sensors to identify optimum orientation of the sensors for detecting stairs and holes. These sensors are connected to a microcontroller along with a laptop so that we can get sufficient data for analysing terrain on the walkway of the blind. Based on the analyses of the acquired data, we have developed an algorithm capable of classifying various types of obstacles. The developed belt for blind device is superior in terms of less weight, able to detect stair and hole, low cost, less power consumption, adjustable, less training and availability of actuation systems. It was tested and implemented successfully to address all those issues.

Keywords: walking support systems; belt for blind; blind people; terrain detection; obstacle avoidance; visually impaired; wearable sensors; ultrasonic sensors; infrared sensors; mathematical modelling; obstacle classification.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAMECHS.2011.045010

International Journal of Advanced Mechatronic Systems, 2011 Vol.3 No.5/6, pp.384 - 397

Published online: 18 Mar 2015 *

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