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So Why Did We Make It?

As of 2020, the estimated Indian population is about 1.38 billion of which, nearly 40 million people are affected by visual impairment according to the National Library of Medicine. Despite the growing population of the visually challenged in India, medical and technological developments to aide them have been dormant. In addition, it is an established fact that the visually challenged are more prone to face mortal road accidents. Globally, the need for assistive technology continues to increase along with rise in the population of the visual disabled. India, with the highest blind population in the world, certainly needs to improve awareness and accelerate progress in production of assistive technology.
Following extensive research, our team identified an approach to curtail the number of road accidents encountered by the blind, using existing technical knowledge. We propose to provide individuals with blindness and visual impairment, a wearable device that will assist them in a wide range of daily activities, for instance, facilitating everyday living performance, increasing productivity, minimizing dependency, and improved inclusion in social events etc.

About The Device

Hardware Used

Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB RAM)
Arduino Uno
HC – SR04 Ultrasonic Sensors
Camera Module

Software Used

1. Python
2. C++
3. OpenCV
And other relevant libraries.

Functions That Can Be Performed

Side Impact/Object detection:
The proposed device integrates the Arduino UNO and the HCSR04 Ultrasonic sensor which is located on either sides of the device, to equip the individual with impact detection technology. Impact detection functions when a person or an object comes within 0.25 meters of the range of the device, it responds to this by simultaneously emitting an audible sound and illuminating a red – LED attached to the device, to caution the user against the approaching person/vehicle.

Pedestrian/vehicle detection:
The library OpenCV mentioned above is implemented in the device, to detect and differentiate pedestrians and vehicles approaching the individual and notify the user of the approaching object/person through voice output.

Speech Recognition:
The device employs convenient GUI (Graphical User Interface) to help aide uninterrupted motion of the user. It constructs a platform which allows communication between the device and the individual to help guide the person through several actions, for instance navigating to a voice - inputted destination, playing music or reducing the volume of the voice-output.

Convenient interface to help aid in motion
Our proprietary audio interface makes using the device a breeze.

Audio Assistant – ‘HELEN’:
As mentioned above, our device offers information to the user using voice-output, this is achieved through our own Audio Assistant named ‘Helen’. Helen is a virtual assistant designed to support the user with appropriate responses to the above functions.