An application of infrared sensors for electronic white stick

Abstract

Presently, blind people use a white stick as a tool for directing them when they move or walk. Although, the white stick is useful, it cannot give a high guarantee that it can protect blind people away from all level of obstacles. Many researchers have been interested in developing electronic devices to protect blind people away from obstacles with a higher guarantee. This paper introduces an obstacles avoidance alternative by using an electronic stick that serves as a tool for blind people in walking. It employs an infrared sensor for detecting obstacles along the pathway. With all level of obstacles, the infrared stick enables to detect all type of materials available in the course such as concrete, wood, metal, glass, and human being. The result also shows that the stick detects obstacles in range of 80 cm which is the same as the length of white stick. The stick is designed to be small and light, so that blind people can carry it comfortably.