Head wear for the blind

Projects General Guidance
1

I am trying to make a headwear for the blind. (I created 3 different topics and I'm sorry but I will be adding all my questions to this one)

I have a circuit in which I connected an ultrasonic and vibration motor to.
Whenever the ultrasonic detects something below 100cm, the vibration motor starts vibrating and depending on the distance it will either increase or decrease the vibration.

PROBLEMS IM FACING:
1-
I feel like there is a lot to add to this circuit to make it's detection more accurate especially if we were to put it on a hat (so that if you were blindfolded you could navigate around).
What do you think I can add?
2-

My problems is that sometimes the vibration motor kind of annoyingly vibrates even if there isn't something in the 100cm distance from it.
My second issue is that I want ultrasonic on the side or extra safety and support but I'm not sure if that will work. Tell me your thoughts

3-
it creates this weird low buzzing sound even when something is not infront of it and I am not sure how to fix it. Also, anything I can add to improve accuracy?

2

From Your post it's not possible to give any advice, only wild guesses.

Please read and use this link: How to get the best out of this forum - Using Arduino / Project Guidance - Arduino Forum

2 Likes
3

I can provide you with any details possible

4

You have three topics with the same subject.

5

You really need more than one sensor so the user can detect the direction and distance of an object .
A vibrating motor would be extremely irritating, I’d try something else ( clicking sound ??)

Is this a school project ? There are difficulties in use fitting and size weight . A blind person isn’t going to stand out as looking different .

You need to read how to get the best from the forum , post a schematic, parts list , code .

6

Yes. Thank you!
But can I use multiple ultrasonics from the side or would that not really work?
Also, it isn't a school project and I hope it doesn't seem like it. I know it's a really simple project, but I am really trying to get it to be the best it can be.
Looking forward for your reply

7

Think for a bit how you'll do that. A vibration motor is generally on/off only. Does yours somehow allow being modulated? Does it work well? I'd test that first.

Bells, whistles, displays, fireworks...who's to say. Start by describing the application and your requirements, then decide on what's needed to make it work.

Have a look at this thread in its entirety up to the most recent posts: https://forum.arduino.cc/t/walker-aid-for-visually-impaired-elderly-person
He's doing pretty much the same thing you're doing and he has already solved a couple of the problems along the way that you're about to run into as well.

8

I have a similar project except it's a head wear, can I add ultrasonic to the sides of the headwear or will that mess up the stuff?

9

Post your code (using <CODE> ) and a wiring diagram/schematic of how you have things connected.
Also, which Arduino are you using and how is it being powered?

10

I am using arduino nano


#define TRIGGER_PIN 2 
#define ECHO_PIN 3 
#define VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN 5

int duration = 0;
int distance = 0;
int vibrationIntensity =0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(TRIGGER_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ECHO_PIN, INPUT);
  pinMode(VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN, OUTPUT);
}



void loop() {

    
  digitalWrite(TRIGGER_PIN, LOW);
  delayMicroseconds(2); 
  digitalWrite(TRIGGER_PIN, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(TRIGGER_PIN, LOW);
  
  
  duration = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH);

  delay(10); 
 
  distance = ((duration / 2) /29.1);
  
  Serial.print("Distance: ");
  Serial.print(distance);
  Serial.println(" cm");

  //delay(1000); 
  if (distance <= 250){
    vibrationIntensity = map(distance, 0, 250, 255, 0);
    analogWrite(VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN, vibrationIntensity);
  }
  else {
    analogWrite(VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN, 0);
  }
  

  //delay(100);
}
11

I have merged your topics due to them having too much overlap on the same subject matter @aziza123conquersarduino.

In the future, please only create one topic for each distinct subject matter and be careful not to cause them to converge into parallel discussions.

The reason is that generating multiple threads on the same subject matter can waste the time of the people trying to help. Someone might spend a lot of time investigating and writing a detailed answer on one topic, without knowing that someone else already did the same in the other topic.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

1 Like
12

Hello, I put my code below

13

Made several changes to your code.

duration changed to unsigned long
distance changed to float
Check if distance is greater than 4cm but less than equal 100cm
Map 0,100 to 255,0
delay(50) at end of loop

#define TRIGGER_PIN 2
#define ECHO_PIN 3
#define VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN 5

unsigned long duration; ////
float distance; ////
int vibrationIntensity;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(TRIGGER_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ECHO_PIN, INPUT);
  pinMode(VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(TRIGGER_PIN, LOW); ////
  delay(1); ////
}

void loop() {

  digitalWrite(TRIGGER_PIN, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(TRIGGER_PIN, LOW);

  duration = pulseIn(ECHO_PIN, HIGH);

  distance = ((duration / 2) / 29.1);

  Serial.print("Distance: ");
  Serial.print(distance);
  Serial.println(" cm");

  if ((distance >= 4) && (distance <= 100)) ////
  {
    vibrationIntensity = map(distance, 0, 100, 255, 0); ////
    analogWrite(VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN, vibrationIntensity);
    //Serial.println(vibrationIntensity);
  }
  else
  {
    analogWrite(VIBRATING_MOTOR_PIN, 0);
  }

  delay(50); ////
}
14

How many blind people have you consulted with? Are you aware that people who have been blind from birth have a totally different understanding of the physical world than us sighted people? Many blind can navigate the world by hearing sounds reflected from solid objects. Others can make a click and hear the echo.
Design something that blind people suggest to you, not the other way around. They don't want to appear different from sighted people.

2 Likes
15
16

Yes, but I feel like 4 ultrasonic on the front is too much. I meant from the sides maybe?

17

So put them on the side???

The code in the simulation allows other events to occur (for example, making a sound) without interfering either event interfering with the other (sonic sensor, sound maker, other).

19

According to a study made by Robert Manduchi, 92% of participants had experienced some form of the head level incident and over 45% of blind participants experience head injuries once a month or less.
I appreciate your input but I'm not doing this for the sake of making blind people feel different from sighted people.

21

For now I only have one on the front, I 3D printed a box for the circuit.
Although, you do have a point it would look odd.
Can you provide me with more info about the TOF sensors so I can order them maybe? Sounds interesting!
EDIT: Actually I saw the video thank you so much. How much is the price because I'm trying to make it affordable.

24

I get messed up readings though