Published September 16, 2023 © GPL3+

Smart GSM-Equipped Walking Stick for the Blind

Navigating everyday life can be daunting and unsafe for many blind individuals. Hence, I developed this smart walking stick to help them.

AdvancedFull instructions providedOver 1 day233

Smart GSM-Equipped Walking Stick for the Blind

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Nano

HCSR-04 ultrasonic sensor

Buzzer

SIM800L GSM/GPRS module

Push button (the panic button)

Vibration motor

Four way RF wireless remote controller

Water sensor

Solar panel

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Drilling machine

Soldering iron

Story

To help the blind navigate their environment safely without hitting obstacles, and be able to notify their caregivers in emergency situations, I developed this smart walking stick; an innovative device equipped with cutting-edge sensors and GSM technology. It uses the distance readings obtained with an HCSR04 ultrasonic sensor to detect obstacles on the way of the blind. Alarm and vibrator are activated when the blind person is in close proximity to an obstacle. If he accidentally hits an obstacle, the smart stick will start calling and texting his/her caregiver. The SMS sent has his Google map link of his location, which when clicked by the caregiver, brings out his location in Google map. The stick also has a panic button, which when pressed, causes the stick to start calling and texting the caregiver.

The stick also has RF receiver which is "listening" to signals coming from an RF transmitter remote controller held by the blind person. If the stick is misplaced, a button on the remote controller is pressed to turn on the buzzer on the stick. The blind person will then follow the sound to locate the smart stick.The stick has internal rechargeable battery which can be charged with a detachable solar panel. It can also be charged with utility power and generator.

It also has a water sensor attached to it so that the blind person is alerted when he is about stepping into water.

With all these features on the smart stick, the blind can safely navigate their surroundings without harm.

Demo of the Smart GSM-equipped Walking Stick for the Blind

Schematics

Code

Source Code

#define TINY_GSM_MODEM_SIM800

#define SerialMon Serial
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial SerialAT(10,11); // RX, TX

#define DUMP_AT_COMMANDS
#define TINY_GSM_DEBUG SerialMon

#define SMS_TARGET  "+2349048805190" //My number. Change it to yours.
#define CALL_TARGET "+2349048805190"

#include <TinyGsmClient.h>
#ifdef DUMP_AT_COMMANDS
#include <StreamDebugger.h>
StreamDebugger debugger(SerialAT, SerialMon);
TinyGsm modem(debugger);
#else
TinyGsm modem(SerialAT);
#endif

#include <Sim800l.h>
Sim800l Sim800l;  

uint8_t index;
bool error;

char* charLocation;
String text;
String location;

#define trigPin 6
#define echoPin 7
#define PanicButton 8
#define buzzerPin 9
#define vibratorPin 12

long duration, distance;

void setup() 
{
  Sim800l.begin();
  SerialAT.begin(9600);
  SerialMon.begin(9600);
  pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
  pinMode(PanicButton, INPUT_PULLUP);
  pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(vibratorPin, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW);
  digitalWrite(vibratorPin,LOW);
}

void loop() 
{
  if(PanicButton==LOW)
  {
    call();
    sendSMS();
  }

  checkObstacle();
  delay(1000);
  
  if(distance>40)
  {
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW);  
    digitalWrite(vibratorPin,LOW);  
  }

  else if(distance>30&&distance<45)
  {
    digitalWrite(vibratorPin,HIGH); 
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,HIGH);  
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW); 
    delay(500);

    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,HIGH);  
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW); 
    delay(500);

    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,HIGH);  
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW); 
    delay(1000);
  }

  else if(distance>15&&distance<30)
  {
    digitalWrite(vibratorPin,HIGH); 
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,HIGH);  
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW); 
    delay(500);

    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,HIGH);  
    delay(500);
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW); 
    delay(1000); 
  }

  else if(distance<15)
  {
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,HIGH); 
    digitalWrite(vibratorPin,HIGH); 
    call1();
    sendSMS1();
    call2();
    sendSMS2();
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW); 
    digitalWrite(vibratorPin,LOW); 
  }

  else
  {
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin,LOW);  
    digitalWrite(vibratorPin,LOW); 
  }
}

double checkObstacle()
{
  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
  delayMicroseconds(2);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
  duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
  distance = (duration/2) / 29.1;
  Serial.print(distance);
  Serial.println("cm");
}

void call()
{
  boolean res = modem.callNumber(CALL_TARGET1);
  
  if (res) 
  {
    delay(1000L);
    // Play DTMF A, duration 1000ms
    modem.dtmfSend('A', 1000);

    // Play DTMF 0...4, default duration (100ms)
    for (char tone='0'; tone<='4'; tone++) 
    {
      modem.dtmfSend(tone);
    }
 
    delay(9000);
    res = modem.callHangup();
  }                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
}

void sendSMS()
{
  #if defined(SMS_TARGET)  
  boolean res = modem.sendSMS_UTF16(SMS_TARGET, u"ALERT! The visually impaired person has possibly hit an obstacle. Please, call him IMMEDIATELY!", 95);
  #endif
}

Credits

NSUDE, MADUKA EVARISTUS

3 projects • 4 followers

IoT & Software Developer | Electronic Engineer | Project Assistant. My Awards (+ 2 Int'l): lnkd.in/dECgkdN7 My works: lnkd.in/dEvBTszb

Smart GSM-Equipped Walking Stick for the Blind

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Custom parts and enclosures

The Plastic Pipe used for the Smart Stick

Schematics

Schematics

Code

Source Code

Credits

NSUDE, MADUKA EVARISTUS

Comments

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Smart GSM-Equipped Walking Stick for the Blind

Smart GSM-Equipped Walking Stick for the Blind

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Custom parts and enclosures

The Plastic Pipe used for the Smart Stick

Schematics

Schematics

Code

Source Code

Credits

NSUDE, MADUKA EVARISTUS

Comments

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