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ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor (2026): 8.7
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor (2026): 8.7
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Vol 10 No 6 (2026): Volume 10, Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 187-192
International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology
OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 22-06-2026
Navigation for visually impaired individuals remains a major challenge due to limited perception of surrounding obstacles and environmental hazards. Traditional white canes provide basic ground-level detection but fail to identify elevated, dynamic, or distant obstacles. To address these limitations, this project presents the design and development of a Smart Blind Stick that assists visually impaired people in safe and independent navigation. The proposed system integrates ultrasonic sensors and an optional camera-based object detection module to detect and identify obstacles in real time. A microcontroller-based processing unit analyzes sensor data and determines the presence, distance, and type of obstacles. The detected information is conveyed to the user through a text-to-speech (TTS) audio feedback system, enabling timely awareness and informed decision-making. The smart stick is designed to be lightweight, portable, energy-efficient, and user-friendly, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. Experimental evaluation demonstrates reliable obstacle detection, minimal response time, and effective audio guidance, thereby enhancing user safety, mobility, and independence. This assistive device aims to improve the quality of life of visually impaired individuals by reducing dependence on external assistance.
Smart Blind Stick, Visually Impaired Assistance, Obstacle Detection, Object Identification, Text-to-Speech, Ultrasonic Sensor, Assistive Technology, Embedded Systems.
Nikita Tariwal, Vaishnavi Gawande, Sajiya Shaikh, & Prof. Dipali Bendale. (2026). VocalEyes: AI-Based Smart Blind Stick with Object Detection and Directional Voice Feedback. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 10(6), 187-192. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2026.106023
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