A deep dive into ultrasonic sensor HC-SR04 performance in visually impaired navigation systems
Fitahiana Manoa Ratsimbazafy, Gaganjot Kaur, Blessing Muzira, Mehtab Singh, Waquar Husain Siddiqui · 2025
The rise in the global population facing visual impairment each year profoundly affects individuals of all ages, particularly those aged 50 and above. However, getting older should not put a halt to exploration and adventure. Everyone, regardless of their visual capabilities, deserves the freedom to roam and soak in their surroundings. The reliance on assistance often burdens those with visual impairments, potentially invading their privacy and sense of comfort. This study proposes an innovative solution to empower blind individuals in navigating their daily tasks swiftly, safely, and independently. By leveraging ultrasonic waves to detect nearby obstacles and alerting through vibrations or beeps, this method enables effective navigation and collision avoidance. Utilizing an ultrasound unit and microcontroller, the system calculates obstacle distances and communicates them through tactile and auditory cues, facilitating movement in various directions. The study meticulously examines the performance of such a system in terms of response time and magnitude of the signal, shedding light on its efficacy and potential benefits.