Pathfinder for the Visually Impaired People

Abstract

The paper aims at designing and development of a smart cane which helps in navigation for
the visually impaired people. The navigator system designed will detect an object or obstacle
using ultrasonic sensors and gives audio instructions for guidance. The proposed navigation
system utilizes ultrasonic technology, image processing and voice recognition system for
obstacle detection, traffic light sensing and getting audio instructions respectively. Traffic
signs recognition is a less studied field and here we are introducing a traffic light recognition
system by image processing technique in open CV for the blind person to move freely. The
entire system is interfaced in a raspberry pi module. Acquiring positional information and
detecting directions outdoor is difficult, we confirm that using this system, positional
information and travel direction can be obtained utilizing ultrasonic technology combined
with GPS navigation system. The system can also detect potholes on the path.