AI-Enabled Smart Walking Stick for Visually Impaired

Overview

Visually impaired people often face challenges in safely navigating their environment due to limited awareness of surrounding objects. Traditional canes primarily detect ground-level obstacles and provide minimal information about the type of obstacle. This project presents an AI-enabled smart walking stick that uses real-time object recognition to enhance safety and independence. The system uses a camera with an artificial intelligence model to detect and classify objects such as people, animals, and other obstacles in the user’s path. It is supported by an ultrasonic sensor for distance measurement and a water level sensor to identify puddles. A buzzer and speaker provides immediate feedback to alert the user of detected obstacles. Testing in indoor and outdoor environments showed improved object detection and awareness compared to a traditional cane. This project demonstrates how this AI-enabled assistive technology has the potential to significantly improve mobility, confidence, and quality of life for visually impaired people.

Awards (2)

• Bronze Medal
• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Digital Technology

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