Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired

Abdalla Gad; Bara' Fteiha; Jawaher Alatawi; Mahra Mohammed; Mahra Almansoori; Mohammed Ghazal; Jawad Yousaf; Eqab Almajali; Abir Jafar Hussain

doi:10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired

Abdalla Gad
, Bara' Fteiha
, Jawaher Alatawi
, Mahra Mohammed
, Mahra Almansoori
, Mohammed Ghazal
, Jawad Yousaf
, Eqab Almajali
, Abir Jafar Hussain

Abu Dhabi University
University of Sharjah

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work proposes a flexible, foldable, lightweight, robust, and smart cane to aid visually impaired individuals and patients in navigating unfamiliar environments safely. The developed smart cane is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, RFID reader, and an AI machine vision sensor for object detection and identification in the range of 30 cm to 9 m. A mobile application with a text-to-voice feature is developed that connects with the cane using Bluetooth to provide voice warnings to the user based on processed sensor output. The developed cane is also equipped with a vibration sensor activated when an obstacle is closer than 30 cm, serving as a backup of voice warnings. Object detection and classification using multiple sources (AI vision sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and RFID readers) ensures robust and uninterrupted operation in case of failure of one sensor. In emergencies, users can send text messages with their location to a pre-selected caretaker's phone number using the installed SOS button. The rechargeable battery offers more than 24 hours of operation and warns users when the battery is low. The prototype has been successfully executed and tested in various environments and aims to improve the safety and quality of life for visually impaired individuals and hospital patients.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	DeSE 2023 - Proceedings
Subtitle of host publication	16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering
Editors	Dhiya Al-Jumeily Obe, Sulaf Assi, Manoj Jayabalan, Jade Hind, Abir Hussain, Hissam Tawfik, Neil Rowe, Jamila Mustafina
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	240-245
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9798350381344
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180
State	Published - 2023
Event	16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE 2023 - Istanbul, Turkey Duration: 18 Dec 2023 → 20 Dec 2023

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE
ISSN (Print)	2161-1343

Conference

Conference	16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE 2023
Country/Territory	Turkey
City	Istanbul
Period	18/12/23 → 20/12/23

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence
RFID
Smart Cane
Vision impairment

Access to Document

10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

Cite this

Gad, A., Fteiha, B., Alatawi, J., Mohammed, M., Almansoori, M., Ghazal, M., Yousaf, J., Almajali, E., & Hussain, A. J. (2023). Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired. In D. A.-J. Obe, S. Assi, M. Jayabalan, J. Hind, A. Hussain, H. Tawfik, N. Rowe, & J. Mustafina (Eds.), DeSE 2023 - Proceedings: 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering (pp. 240-245). (Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

Gad, Abdalla ; Fteiha, Bara' ; Alatawi, Jawaher et al. / Safer Navigation : The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired. DeSE 2023 - Proceedings: 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering. editor / Dhiya Al-Jumeily Obe ; Sulaf Assi ; Manoj Jayabalan ; Jade Hind ; Abir Hussain ; Hissam Tawfik ; Neil Rowe ; Jamila Mustafina. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2023. pp. 240-245 (Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE).

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title = "Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired",

abstract = "This work proposes a flexible, foldable, lightweight, robust, and smart cane to aid visually impaired individuals and patients in navigating unfamiliar environments safely. The developed smart cane is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, RFID reader, and an AI machine vision sensor for object detection and identification in the range of 30 cm to 9 m. A mobile application with a text-to-voice feature is developed that connects with the cane using Bluetooth to provide voice warnings to the user based on processed sensor output. The developed cane is also equipped with a vibration sensor activated when an obstacle is closer than 30 cm, serving as a backup of voice warnings. Object detection and classification using multiple sources (AI vision sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and RFID readers) ensures robust and uninterrupted operation in case of failure of one sensor. In emergencies, users can send text messages with their location to a pre-selected caretaker's phone number using the installed SOS button. The rechargeable battery offers more than 24 hours of operation and warns users when the battery is low. The prototype has been successfully executed and tested in various environments and aims to improve the safety and quality of life for visually impaired individuals and hospital patients.",

keywords = "Artificial Intelligence, RFID, Smart Cane, Vision impairment",

author = "Abdalla Gad and Bara' Fteiha and Jawaher Alatawi and Mahra Mohammed and Mahra Almansoori and Mohammed Ghazal and Jawad Yousaf and Eqab Almajali and Hussain, \{Abir Jafar\}",

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year = "2023",

doi = "10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180",

language = "English",

series = "Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.",

pages = "240--245",

editor = "Obe, \{Dhiya Al-Jumeily\} and Sulaf Assi and Manoj Jayabalan and Jade Hind and Abir Hussain and Hissam Tawfik and Neil Rowe and Jamila Mustafina",

booktitle = "DeSE 2023 - Proceedings",

address = "United States",

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Gad, A, Fteiha, B, Alatawi, J, Mohammed, M, Almansoori, M, Ghazal, M , Yousaf, J, Almajali, E & Hussain, AJ 2023, Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired. in DA-J Obe, S Assi, M Jayabalan, J Hind, A Hussain, H Tawfik, N Rowe & J Mustafina (eds), DeSE 2023 - Proceedings: 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering. Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 240-245, 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE 2023, Istanbul, Turkey, 18/12/23. https://doi.org/10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired. / Gad, Abdalla; Fteiha, Bara'; Alatawi, Jawaher et al.
DeSE 2023 - Proceedings: 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering. ed. / Dhiya Al-Jumeily Obe; Sulaf Assi; Manoj Jayabalan; Jade Hind; Abir Hussain; Hissam Tawfik; Neil Rowe; Jamila Mustafina. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2023. p. 240-245 (Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review

TY - GEN

T1 - Safer Navigation

T2 - 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE 2023

AU - Gad, Abdalla

AU - Fteiha, Bara'

AU - Alatawi, Jawaher

AU - Mohammed, Mahra

AU - Almansoori, Mahra

AU - Ghazal, Mohammed

AU - Yousaf, Jawad

AU - Almajali, Eqab

AU - Hussain, Abir Jafar

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - This work proposes a flexible, foldable, lightweight, robust, and smart cane to aid visually impaired individuals and patients in navigating unfamiliar environments safely. The developed smart cane is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, RFID reader, and an AI machine vision sensor for object detection and identification in the range of 30 cm to 9 m. A mobile application with a text-to-voice feature is developed that connects with the cane using Bluetooth to provide voice warnings to the user based on processed sensor output. The developed cane is also equipped with a vibration sensor activated when an obstacle is closer than 30 cm, serving as a backup of voice warnings. Object detection and classification using multiple sources (AI vision sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and RFID readers) ensures robust and uninterrupted operation in case of failure of one sensor. In emergencies, users can send text messages with their location to a pre-selected caretaker's phone number using the installed SOS button. The rechargeable battery offers more than 24 hours of operation and warns users when the battery is low. The prototype has been successfully executed and tested in various environments and aims to improve the safety and quality of life for visually impaired individuals and hospital patients.

AB - This work proposes a flexible, foldable, lightweight, robust, and smart cane to aid visually impaired individuals and patients in navigating unfamiliar environments safely. The developed smart cane is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor, RFID reader, and an AI machine vision sensor for object detection and identification in the range of 30 cm to 9 m. A mobile application with a text-to-voice feature is developed that connects with the cane using Bluetooth to provide voice warnings to the user based on processed sensor output. The developed cane is also equipped with a vibration sensor activated when an obstacle is closer than 30 cm, serving as a backup of voice warnings. Object detection and classification using multiple sources (AI vision sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and RFID readers) ensures robust and uninterrupted operation in case of failure of one sensor. In emergencies, users can send text messages with their location to a pre-selected caretaker's phone number using the installed SOS button. The rechargeable battery offers more than 24 hours of operation and warns users when the battery is low. The prototype has been successfully executed and tested in various environments and aims to improve the safety and quality of life for visually impaired individuals and hospital patients.

KW - Artificial Intelligence

KW - RFID

KW - Smart Cane

KW - Vision impairment

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85189371213

U2 - 10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

DO - 10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:85189371213

T3 - Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE

SP - 240

EP - 245

BT - DeSE 2023 - Proceedings

A2 - Obe, Dhiya Al-Jumeily

A2 - Assi, Sulaf

A2 - Jayabalan, Manoj

A2 - Hind, Jade

A2 - Hussain, Abir

A2 - Tawfik, Hissam

A2 - Rowe, Neil

A2 - Mustafina, Jamila

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.

Y2 - 18 December 2023 through 20 December 2023

ER -

Gad A, Fteiha B, Alatawi J, Mohammed M, Almansoori M, Ghazal M et al. Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired. In Obe DAJ, Assi S, Jayabalan M, Hind J, Hussain A, Tawfik H, Rowe N, Mustafina J, editors, DeSE 2023 - Proceedings: 16th International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2023. p. 240-245. (Proceedings - International Conference on Developments in eSystems Engineering, DeSE). doi: 10.1109/DeSE60595.2023.10469180

Safer Navigation: The AI-Powered Smart Cane for the Visually Impaired

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Keywords

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