Descending Stairs Detection Using Digital Image Processing to Guide Visually Impaired

Blindness refers to a condition in which an individual experiences limitations in their visual ability. Individuals with visual impairments require specific assistance to facilitate their movement from one location to another. The need for this assistance arises due to various obstacles scattered throughout their environment. One of the most significant challenges is navigating descending stairs. To address this issue, a descending stairs detection system based on digital image processing has been developed. Through this approach, the mobility of individuals with visual impairments can be enhanced. The descending stairs detection system is designed using the Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) method to extract distinctive features of descending stairs and the surrounding floor surfaces. Seven GLCM features are incorporated into the development of this system, allowing it to differentiate between descending stairs and floors using the Extra Tree Classifier classification method. Through a series of tests, the system's accuracy is measured at 84%, demonstrating its adequate ability to identify descending stairs. Additionally, the average computation time for detecting descending stairs and floors is recorded at 0.121 (s), indicating the efficient performance of this system in supporting the mobility of individuals in need.