Next-Gen Smart Pendant for Safe Navigation of the Visually Impaired

Navigating everyday environments presents significant challenges for individuals who are visually impaired, with current assistive technologies such as ultrasonic sensor-based devices providing some relief, yet often falling short in areas like accuracy, affordability, and user-friendliness. Nationally, about 2.55% of the population aged 50 and above are visually impaired, with 0.36% classified as completely blind. This paper introduces a novel solution: a smart pendant that integrates advanced ultrasonic and infrared sensors with real-time data processing and adaptive user feedback mechanisms. The design draws inspiration from innovations like the smart cane developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, which uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles above knee height and provides vibrational feedback to alert the user. Despite its effectiveness, this approach has limitations in accuracy and adaptability. The proposed pendant aims to enhance obstacle detection and navigation accuracy, addressing these challenges by integrating advanced sensors for precise detection and adaptive feedback. The device's objectives include improving navigation safety, reducing recharging frequency through optimized power management, and ensuring affordability and durability for broader accessibility.