Smart walking stick for blind people: an application of 3D printer

Md. Allama Ikbal; Faidur Rahman; Md. Ripon Ali; M. Hasnat Kabir; Hidemitsu Furukawa

doi:10.1117/12.2265023

24 April 2017 Smart walking stick for blind people: an application of 3D printer

Md. Allama Ikbal, Faidur Rahman, Md. Ripon Ali, M. Hasnat Kabir, Hidemitsu Furukawa

Proceedings Volume 10167, Nanosensors, Biosensors, Info-Tech Sensors and 3D Systems 2017; 101670T (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2265023
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2017, Portland, Oregon, United States

Abstract

A prototype of the smart walking stick has been designed and characterized for the people who are visually impaired. In this study, it was considered that the proposed system will alert visuallyimpaired people over the obstacles which are in front of blind people as well as the obstacles of the street such as a manhole, when the blind people are walking in the street. The proposed system was designed in two stages, i.e. hardware and software which makes the system as a complete prototype. Three ultrasonic sonar sensors were used to detect in front obstacle and street surface obstacle such as manhole. Basically the sensor transmits an electromagnetic wave which travels toward the obstacle and back to the sensor receiver. The distance between the sensor and the obstacle is calculated from the received signal. The calculated distance value is compared with the pre-defined value and determines whether the obstacle is present or not. The 3D CAD software was used to design the sensor holder. An Up-Mini 3D printer was used to print the sensor holders which were mounted on the walking stick. Therefore, the sensors were fixed in the right position. Another sensor was used for the detecting the water on the walking street. The performance for detecting the obstacles and water indicate the merit of smart walking stick.

Citation Download Citation

Md. Allama Ikbal, Faidur Rahman, Md. Ripon Ali, M. Hasnat Kabir, and Hidemitsu Furukawa "Smart walking stick for blind people: an application of 3D printer", Proc. SPIE 10167, Nanosensors, Biosensors, Info-Tech Sensors and 3D Systems 2017, 101670T (24 April 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2265023

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