Project S.O.D.A., the Smart Obstacle Dodging Assistant: Helping the Visually Impaired Be Safer Outdoors

Overview

Objectives/Goals The objective of our experimentation is to determine if ultrasonic sensors and vibration motors attached to walking canes help the visually impaired avoid obstacles better than traditional walking canes. Methods/Materials 3 ultrasonic sensors, 3 Arduino Nanos, 3 vibration motors, 1 metal cane, 1 walking cane, 1 pack of jumper wires, 3 small breadboards. Programmed the Arduino Nanos to warn the users of objects in the vicinity and assembled the Project S.O.D.A. walking cane using ultrasonic sensors, Arduino Nanos and vibration motors. Results The test subjects used regular walking cane and Project S.O.D.A. walking cane to walk through closed course and the number of unwanted collisions were recorded. The Project S.O.D.A. walking cane significantly reduced the number of accidents. Conclusions/Discussion The Project S.O.D.A. walking cane proved to be much safer for the user than traditional walking cane. The average number of accidents that occurred for the test subjects while navigating through the closed course from 12.166, while using the traditional walking cane, to 1.5, while using the Project S.O.D.A. walking cane.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2017 Electronics & Electromagnetics · Entry S1012

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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