Smart Assistive Cane for the Visually Impaired Using Ultrasonic Sensor and Haptic Feedback

Author: Thamer Saleh Al-Yami
Affiliation: Al-Deffi Secondary School, Jubail, Saudi Arabia
Advisor :Yousef Khaled Alnajim, Al-Deffi Secondary School, Jubail, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
Visually impaired individuals face daily mobility challenges due to obstacles that traditional white canes often fail to detect. This paper presents the design and development of a smart assistive cane that integrates an ultrasonic sensor, Arduino microcontroller, haptic feedback system, and a proposed IoT-based GPS tracking module. The ultrasonic sensor continuously measures the distance to obstacles and activates a vibration motor when an object is detected within 80 cm. The prototype operates for more than six hours using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Testing conducted on five visually impaired participants across twenty trials achieved a 90% detection accuracy and showed improved user confidence and spatial awareness. The design demonstrates how low-cost hardware can support independent mobility while offering future opportunities for integrating real-time IoT connectivity and GPS tracking for enhanced safety.

Keywords: Assistive Technology, Ultrasonic Sensor, Haptic Feedback, IoT, Accessibility

1. Introduction

Mobility and environmental awareness are essential for visually impaired individuals, yet traditional white canes provide only limited sensing capability and cannot detect elevated or distant obstacles. With advancements in affordable microcontrollers and sensing technologies, assistive devices have become increasingly accessible. The goal of this study is to design a low-cost smart assistive cane that enhances safety through ultrasonic sensing and haptic feedback while providing a technical foundation for integrating IoT-based tracking in future versions.

2. Literature Review

Smart assistive systems have been widely studied across engineering and applied science fields. Kuriakose et al. (2018) introduced an ultrasonic sensing cane that improved short-range obstacle detection. Al-Fuqaha et al. (2015) highlighted the importance of IoT in enabling real-time device connectivity for safety applications. Lee (2020) discussed AI-based object detection and the role of IoT in enhancing environmental awareness for visually impaired users.
Most existing designs offer strong performance but remain costly or computationally complex for school-level implementation. This project focuses on a simplified, low-cost educational prototype while maintaining essential functionality and reliability.

3. Methodology

3.1 System Components

The smart cane prototype consists of the following components:

HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor for distance measurement
Arduino Nano microcontroller for signal processing
Vibration motor for haptic user alerts
18650 rechargeable battery with TP4056 charging module
PVC cane structure for lightweight assembly

3.2 System Operation

The ultrasonic sensor emits pulses to measure the distance to obstacles. The Arduino processes this data and activates the vibration motor with intensity proportional to proximity. This provides immediate tactile feedback without requiring auditory cues.

3.3 Testing and Evaluation

Experiments were conducted indoors and outdoors with five uesers .
Each participant completed 20 navigation trials, with obstacles placed randomly at distances from 30 cm to 150 cm.
Performance metrics included:

Detection accuracy
Response time
Battery endurance
User comfort
User feedback was collected through structured interviews to evaluate clarity, usability, and confidence levels.

4. Results and Discussion

Table 1. Summary of Experimental Results

Parameter

Description

Result

Total Trials

Number of obstacle detection tests

20

Detection Accuracy

Percentage of successfully detected obstacles

90%

Battery Life

Continuous runtime per full charge

6.5 hours

Estimated Cost

Total prototype cost

150 SAR

Table Explanation:
Table 1 summarizes the numerical findings. The 90% accuracy demonstrates strong short-range detection performance. Battery life exceeded expectations for a low-cost prototype, and the total cost shows the system is accessible for educational environments.

Figure 1. System Block Diagram

Figure Description:
Figure 1 illustrates the flow of data between components:
Ultrasonic Sensor → Arduino Nano → Vibration Motor → Battery Unit.
This visual representation clarifies the logical operation and hardware integration strategy.

Discussion and Validation

Results indicate that the system performs reliably in real-world conditions. The 90% accuracy aligns with similar findings reported by Kuriakose et al. (2018). User feedback confirmed improved confidence compared to traditional canes.
This validates the research objectives and confirms that low-cost sensing solutions can provide meaningful accessibility enhancements.

5. Conclusion

The smart assistive cane provides reliable obstacle detection and user feedback using low-cost hardware, making it suitable for both educational and practical use. Future development will incorporate a GPS tracking module and IoT connectivity to enable real-time location monitoring, enhanced safety, and emergency communication features. This research demonstrates how STEM innovation at the high school level can produce impactful assistive technologies with measurable community benefits.

Acknowledgment

The author thanks IEOM Society International for supporting student participation in the High School STEM Competition and for encouraging the development of applied research projects.

References
Al-Fuqaha A., et al. Internet of Things: A Survey on Enabling Technologies, Protocols, and Applications, IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 2015.
Kuriakose A., et al. Smart Walking Stick for Visually Impaired, IJERT, 2018.
Lee J. Assistive Technologies for the Visually Impaired: A Review of IoT Applications, Sensors and Systems Journal, 2020.
Rahman M.A., et al. Peak Demand Forecasting for a Seasonal Product Using Bayesian Approach, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 2011.
World Health Organization. World Report on Vision, 2019.

Author Biography

Thamer Saleh Al-Yami is a high school student at Al-Deffi Secondary School in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. He is interested in scientific research, engineering design, and assistive technologies. He participates in STEM activities, enjoys volunteering, and actively practices the English language. He aims to pursue further studies in technology and innovation.

Menu

Mr. Thamer al- yami