- This intelligent system effectively acts as an extra set of “eyes” for the visually-impaired individual, providing real-time feedback about their surroundings and any potential obstacles, thus enhancing their mobility, safety, and overall quality of life
- According to the report published by Virtue Market Research in 2022, the Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market is projected to reach a market size of $1,167.84 million by 2030
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, SEPT 19
In line with visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mission of utilizing the advancement in science and technology for the betterment of the humanity, 13 students of SAL College of Engineering have designed a ‘Smart Walking Stick’ for the visually-impaired. This stick provides navigation assistance with warning vibrations, enhancing the independence of people with blindness or visual impairments by helping them to move safely in any public space.
Commenting on this, Chairman of SAL Education Campus Dr. Rajendrabhai Shah, who has been associated with the medical field for a long time, said, “This project aims to break the chains of blindness and foster self-dependence among visually-impaired individuals. It introduces an innovative solution in the form of a smart walking stick, a tool already familiar to the blind community. However, this walking stick is far from ordinary. It is not only fully automated but also cost-effective, easy to maintain, and remarkably comfortable to use. Moreover, it boasts low power consumption and user-friendly operation. What sets this walking stick apart is its exceptional affordability compared to traditional alternatives, coupled with its additional features.”
The smart walking stick is equipped with a circuit board housing a microcontroller, a circuit vibrator for providing tactile feedback, and strategically positioned sensors. These sensors have been meticulously installed at precise angles to ensure that they can detect obstacles within a radius of 70 cm in front of the user. This intelligent system effectively acts as an extra set of “eyes” for the visually-impaired individual, providing real-time feedback about their surroundings and any potential obstacles, thus enhancing their mobility, safety, and overall quality of life.
Speaking with navjeevanexpress.com, Dr. Rupesh Vasani, Director, SAL Campus, said, “As a moral responsibility towards the society and on the occasion of the 73rd birthday of our Honorable Prime Minister Narendrabhai Modi and with the initiative taken by the Chairman of SAL Education Campus Dr. Rajendrabhai Shah, the ‘Smart Walking Stick’ has been designed by 13 students of Diploma in Computer Engineering stream of SAL College of Engineering. This project centers around addressing the unique challenges faced by the visually impaired by creating a microcontroller-based automated hardware system. This innovative system empowers blind individuals by providing them with instant obstacle-detection capabilities.”
When asked about its patenting, Dr. Rupesh Vasani replied that, “We have initiated the process for the same. Simultaneously, we are also making this ‘Smart Walking Sticks’ suitable for trekking purpose of the visually-impaired. We are donating 15 sticks to Blind people of Andhajan Mandal on Monday. The students were guided by Dr. Ajay Upadhyay (Principal, SIDS) and Project Mentor Dhruv Bhatt, including myself. It has taken more than 6 months to work on this entire project. Each stick costs around Rs 1,300 to 1,400.”
Project Mentor Dhruv Bhatt said, “The smart walking stick is equipped with a circuit board housing a microcontroller, a circuit vibrator for providing tactile feedback, and strategically positioned sensors. These sensors have been meticulously installed at precise angles to ensure that they can detect obstacles within a radius of 70 cm in front of the user. This intelligent system effectively acts as an extra set of “eyes” for the visually impaired individual, providing real-time feedback about their surroundings and any potential obstacles, thus enhancing their mobility, safety, and overall quality of life.”
The 13-member students’ team comprise Archi Tanna, Vedansh Raval, Heet Thakkar, Vaishvi Amin, Vaidik Patel, Vidhi Patel, Khushi Trapasiya, Kavya Shah, Shatrughan Tiwari, Vardhman Shah and Vansh Shah. The team demonstrated the stick’s usage and technical capabilities.
The Smart Walking Stick System boasts of a range of features
- Full Automation: The system operates entirely on its own.
- Ease of Maintenance and Operation: It is simple to maintain and user-friendly.
- Comfortable to Use: Designed with user comfort in mind.
- Authentic and Durable: Known for its reliability and long-lasting performance.
- Low Power Consumption: It efficiently utilizes power resources.
- Simplicity in Design: A straightforward design that serves as an effective navigation aid.
- Sensor-Based Detection: Utilizes sensor readings for easy navigation.
- Vibratory Signals: Provides vital information through vibratory signals, aiding individuals with multiple disabilities.
- External Power Supply: The battery is externally attached for easy replacement.
- Stair Detection: Capable of detecting staircases effortlessly.
- Foldable and Portable: Designed for portability and convenient storage.
- Customizability: Easily adaptable to individual preferences.
- Adjustable Heights: Can be adjusted to different heights.
- Additional Features: Offers options for extra sensors, remote monitoring, weather tracking, and hardware integration.
- Availability of Parts: Components are readily available in both local and international markets.
According to the report published by Virtue Market Research in 2022, the Global Smart Cane/Walking Stick Market was valued at $745 million, and is projected to reach a market size of $1,167.84 million by 2030. Over the forecast period of 2023-2030, market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.78%.
