Created September 5, 2024

Tactile Navigation System

Tactile Navigation System for Indoor Public Spaces Using BLE and Sensor Technologies

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Multi-Protocol SoC

Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32S3 Sense

GPS receiver (generic)

Story

This project is aimed at designing an indoor tactile navigation system of public space areas using an interactive Braille map and audio guidance to navigate for the visually impaired. The given system will be made up of two major parts:

Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52840 DK: used here for its BLE functionality that talks to the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense.
Seeed Studio's XIAO ESP32S3 Sense: used for its sensor functionalities to ease the integration with the needed mechanisms of the tactile feedback.
Component Overview
nRF52840 DK: An advanced development kit supporting BLE with a wide range of purposes, from simple communication to beacon applications.
XIAO ESP32S3 Sense: A small-size board with onboard sensors that supports BLE and will be used for position detection of the user and feedback by the user in a tactile manner.
Objectives
Create a module where persons would be listening to audio instructions to navigate as well as feeling it for navigation.
Develop the Braille map system in order to incorporate it with the different ideas of hardware on tactile and audio guidance.

Hardware Setup
Component Integration
Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52840 DK

BLE Beacon Functionality: The hardware, nRF52840 DK, should be configured to serve as a BLE beacon in order for signals to be transmitted to the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense.
Setup: The device should be connected to a computer for setting up.
Seeed Studio's XIAO ESP32S3 Sense

Sensor Integration: Onboard sensors such as an accelerometer will be used to detect user movement and place in relation to Braille maps.
Tactile Feedback: The motor or vibration module will be connected to create the feedback in Braille lettering.
Connection and Wiring
nRF52840 DK to XIAO ESP32S3 Sense: BLE signals for communication
Vibration Module: It would be connected with GPIO pins on XIAO ESP32S3 Sense for providing tactile feedback.
Software Tools
Nordic Semiconductor SDK: For BLE configuration on nRF52840 DK.
Arduino IDE: to program the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense.

System Integration and Testing
System Integration
Pairing Devices: Connect the nRF52840 DK and XIAO ESP32S3 Sense via BLE pairing.
Mapping: Map the locations and Braille map coordinates of the locations in software.
Testing Procedures
Testing of Beacon Signal: The correctness of BLE signals sent by a device named 'nRF52840 DK'.
Navigation Testing: The 'XIAO ESP32S3 Sense' receives and sends signals for appropriate tactile feedback.
User Testing: Visually impaired persons are tested on confirming the use of the navigation system.
Troubleshooting
Bad Signals: strength, range of BLE signal.
Faulty Feedback Mechanism: whether the vibration motor works or not.
Page 5: Final Thoughts and Future Improvements
Summary
The Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 DK and the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense by Seeed Studio fuse BLE communication with haptic feedback for navigation by visually impaired individuals in indoor public spaces.

Future Improvements
Enhanced Audio Guidance: More seamless integration of the module for audio playback will afford better directions.
Advanced Mapping: Construction of detailed Braille maps that would update themselves in real time.
User Feedback Integration: Collection of feedback from users for refining and further enhancing the system's usability and effectiveness.
Conclusion
The project represents an opportunity with BLE combined with haptic feedback for opening a new horizon toward accessible and intuitive navigation for visually impaired people. Future development and refinement of this technology will only enhance its effectiveness and usability in real-world scenarios.

#include <Wire.h>
#include <Adafruit_Sensor.h>
#include <Adafruit_TCS34725.h>
#include <BluetoothSerial.h>

BluetoothSerial SerialBT;
const int vibrationPin = 21; // GPIO pin for vibration motor

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  SerialBT.begin("IndoorGuide");
  pinMode(vibrationPin, OUTPUT);
  // Initialize sensors and BLE
}

void loop() {
  if (SerialBT.available()) {
    String command = SerialBT.readString();
    if (command == "START_NAVIGATION") {
      // Provide tactile feedback and audio guidance
      digitalWrite(vibrationPin, HIGH);
      delay(500); // Vibrate for 500 ms
      digitalWrite(vibrationPin, LOW);
    }
  }
  // Additional sensor handling and navigation logic
}

#include <bluefruit.h>

// Define BLE service and characteristic
BLEService beaconService("12345678-1234-1234-1234-1234567890ab");
BLECharacteristic beaconCharacteristic("12345678-1234-1234-1234-1234567890ac", BLENotify);

// Setup BLE
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  Bluefruit.begin();
  Bluefruit.setName("IndoorBeacon");

  beaconService.begin();
  beaconCharacteristic.setValue("Beacon Data");
  beaconCharacteristic.begin();

  beaconService.start();
  Bluefruit.Advertising.start();
}

void loop() {
  // No additional code needed for this basic beacon
}

Credits

Devasheesh

1 project • 1 follower

Tactile Navigation System

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Story

Code

code

code 2

Credits

Devasheesh

Comments

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Tactile Navigation System

Tactile Navigation System

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Story

Code

code

code 2

Credits

Devasheesh

Comments