Low Cost GPS and GSM Based Navigational Aid for Visually Impaired People

Mobility for the blind can be defined as the ability to move independently through the environment with ease, speed and safety. With an estimate of 7 million people going blind each year, the numbers of visually impaired people are expected to be double by 2030. This work presents a prototype development of a low cost GPS and GSM based navigational aid device called smart white cane for assisting visually impaired people to navigate easily. This device integrates smart sensors and wireless technologies GPS and GSM to assist the user in safe indoor and outdoor navigation. The major phases of this prototype development are obstacle detection, depth detection, water detection and finding location. A GSM module has been incorporated in this prototype so as to make blind people capable of sending an SOS message to a family member in critical situations. The smart white cane is a small, cheap and easily operated navigation aid for the blind and visually impaired people.