MNNIT scholar invents ‘smart stick’ for visually challenged

STICK FOLDS IN THREE LAYERS AND IS FITTED WITH A RECHARGEABLE LITHIUM BATTERY WHICH LAST FOR 24 HOURS.

PRAYAGRAJ: To help visually challenged persons commute safely, a research scholar of the department of applied mechanics of Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT) has designed a ‘smart blind stick’ that is affordable (Rs 800), compact and can tell an individual if it is day or night and even warn regarding an obstruction on the way or an oncoming vehicle.

The otherwise simple looking sensor-embellished stick is no less than a ‘magic wand’ for its targeted users. Fitted with radio frequency (RF) transmitter and a receiver, the stick is also equipped with Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) sensor and an ultrasonic sensor, said Sajal Babu, the young inventor who has developed this smart stick under guidance of Prof Ravi Prakash Tiwari.

“We have fitted the stick with RF transmitter because of which any blind person will be able to find his or her stick with a distance of about 15 meters because the rod has a receiver too. The user will just push a button on the remote in his hand and the stick would sound the buzzer, telling the place where it is placed,” explained Sajal.

Likewise, the stick also informs the user about the luminosity of his surroundings. “Suppose the user enters a room which is dark, the stick would make a sound through which the blind person can know that it is dark and he or she needs to switch on the light,” he said.

Likewise, the ultrasonic sensor would tell about the hindrance on the path. The stick will make sound of beep, frequency of which would increase as the obstruction draws closer, he added. Sajal has used a simple blind stick which is available in the market and made the modification. The stick folds in three layers and is fitted with a rechargeable lithium battery which last for 24 hours.

In coming days, we plan to add more sensors to the stick after which it would be able to help navigate the path for the user using a Google map, tell the number of steps that they have to climb and also inform beforehand about any pit or uneven path that lies in their way, said Sajal. The first prototype of the stick has cost us around Rs 800 but if there is mass production, the price would come down further, he added.

The patent process for this stick would also be initiated by the department in days to come. “I am happy that patent is planned as this would be a made in India product and easily available to consumers at an affordable price. This would help around 2.68 crore visually challenged persons in India as per 2011 census,” said the researcher.