1Q1516-Portable and Wearable Obstacle Detection Belt Bag Using Ultrasonic Sensors for the Blind

INTRODUCTION People with visual impairment face challenges in living their daily lives in terms of mobility. In present time, there is a lack of compensation of technology for them to contend these challenges. Creating a system or a device that would enable a visually impaired person to move from one position into another by detecting obstacles inside the certain parameter of a dynamic environment. Moving in an unfamiliar environment becomes a challenge unless they are equipped with an aid system, usually a walking cane or a guide dog. In dynamic environments, sound is produced while the person is moving which navigates the position of an object/obstacle and can be further verified by touching the obstacle. With the advancement of technology, electronic travel aids (ETAs) are devised to include systems characteristics that not just determine the current location and keep track through the memorized course until the destination is reached but also avoid obstacle. Various studies for navigation for the blind are presented in different approach. These approaches have a loophole when it comes to the method, design or technology. One of the existing systems has been designed to recognize obstacles using ultrasonic sensor integrated into a walking cane (Ryu, 2011). However, it does not eliminate the portability and convenience since the user still needs to hold the cane and propagate the cane around; it simply made the cane wireless. Also, another system includes three infrared sensors system for detecting of ascending and descending stairs and the decision are based on the current sensors readings (Lee, 2010). However, it is tested only on three types of terrain and used infrared sensors in distance measurement. Other studies recreate traditional wearable obstacle detection device for the blind by providing and guiding them through the easiest path to avoid the obstructions. They also affix the detection of elevated obstacle using ultrasonic sensors. However, there are such limitations in

terms of environment, movement, and body built. The device needs more portability to be able to use by all visually impaired including physically challenged people. There is a need to reposition the sensors into a more stable part in which certain limitation can be eliminated and produce better results. The mostly used approach made by the researchers in obstacle detection systems for visually impaired persons is obstacle sensing only. This may not reduce the risk of accidents of the users especially for elevations such as stairs. Other researcher’s approach is with obstacle elevation sensing. This approach is limited only to user with slim or small body built and needs frequent sensor calibration. This existing systems have limited sensing capabilities, user’s body built and stability. That is why there is a need to implement a new design that can be used by all visually impaired person at the same time can detect obstacles and elevation without frequent sensor calibration. The general objective of this paper is to actualize a portable and convenient wearable obstacle detection system, a wearable belt bag, which uses more stable ultrasonic sensors to avoid frequent sensor calibration and can detect obstacle’s basic elevation. The specific objectives are to (1) design a wearable belt bag, which uses Gizduino Microcontroller integrated with multiple ultrasonic sensors and earphones. (2) Calibrate the sensors (3) program the software part using C; and (4) test the performance the system in a static controlled environment. This wearable obstacle detection system will be a significant attempt in aiding those who are visually impaired and those who have limitations in sight. This will help them move in unfamiliar environment without bringing sighted friend or family member to help. In addition, it will able to lessen the accidents due to self-navigation in unknown environment.

This system is exclusively for indoor use only under normal conditions. It will sense the environment for obstacles and elevation limited only to front and back sides of the user. The system will then alarms and guide the user through the connected earphones after sensing an obstacle. Movement of the user will affect the raw data. This paper will not cover the functions for correcting the errors of the users movement speed. It will be tested in a controlled environment where there are already available obstacles for instance dormitories, schools, and establishments.