Assist Blind People in Road Crossing by Integrating a Smart System into Wearable Devices and Vehicle Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25195/ijci.v51i2.616Keywords:
Assist Blind People, Firebase, GPS module, IOT, Smart DevicesAbstract
The ability to navigate safely is a critical issue for people with visual impairments, especially in urban cities where traffic flow is a constant danger. While traditional tools such as white canes and guide dogs provide some assistance, they are often limited in detecting fast-moving hazards (such as a vehicle) and lack integration with modern technologies. The goal of this research paper is to create and test a prototype of a smart system based on the Internet of Things (IoT) that will help blind individuals become more aware of their surroundings and be able to get around on their own. There are two primary pieces to the system: a smartwatch that one can wear and a mobile web-based application. The smartwatch is built on the NodeMCU ESP8266 module and has a GPS module, a buzzer, and an LED indication. All of them are built into a comfortable design that can be worn on the wrist. The system keeps an eye on where the blind person is and gets alerts through a real-time Firebase database. The web program runs on the driver's phone, tracks the car's location, figures out how close it is to the blind user, and sends warnings when the predicted arrival time drops below two minutes. We did field experiments at different speeds (10 km/h, 20 km/h, and 50 km/h) across a distance of 2 kilometers. The results demonstrated a high response accuracy exceeding 99.6%, stable GPS accuracy ranging between 96% and 98%, and an average alert response time of less than 1.5 seconds. These results confirm the system's ability to provide immediate alerts and improve the safety of the blind. By combining real-time cloud services, geolocation, and alerts, this prototype provides an effective system that enhances the safety and mobility of blind people in urban environments. The system's performance indicators support its effectiveness in providing two-way interactive alerts and proactive responses to protect the user.
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