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Using “Echolocation” to Create a Better Cane for the Blind

JSHS · 2020

Eliza Moore, Ms. Marsha McCauley · Sigonella Middle/High School FPO, AE

Overview

The goal of this project was to create a cane that uses an ultrasonic sensor to measure a distance, the code changes the distance to a tone, and the tone frequency is then sent out through a speaker. The hypothesis was that if this cane were created, it would allow users to feel safer while walking by sending out tones frequently in a way that the cane sounds like a metal detector when being used. The code was created in arduino and used an arduino board to run the sensor and speaker. To test this, 4 subjects were blindfolded. Holding the sensor in their hand, subjects were asked to walk towards a wall starting 150 centimeters away. Subjects were asked to say when they could hear a distinct change in the tone of the speaker to help measure how often the change was notable for distances. The conclusion from this test was that in 150 centimeters, subjects were able to detect between 8-9 changes, each about 15.68 centimeters away. The overall conclusion was that the cane was effective in helping the visually impaired by using “echolocation” from the ultrasonic sensor to help.

Competition history

  • JSHS 2020 Category not listed

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Source: Junior Science and Humanities Symposium

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