Sound-based navigation system for visually impaired individuals

Millions of people worldwide have impaired vision for various reasons, such as cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, trauma, infections, genetic disorders, and amblyopia. Visual impairment ranges from normal vision to complete blindness, with varying severities that affect daily life. This study presents a sound-based navigation system to improve indoor mobility for visually impaired individuals. The system combines voice recognition, LED-guided floor paths, and real-time haptic feedback to help users follow predefined routes. Users issue voice commands to activate illuminated floor strips, which a robot cart follows using light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensors. An electromechanical compass provides accurate orientation, while a vibrating handle delivers haptic alerts for real-time directional adjustments. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) determines the user's location and destination to guide them along the correct route. Experimental results show high accuracy: 91.04 % voice recognition, 4 % navigation error due to sensor noise, and 3 % speed regulation error from electrical fluctuations. The proposed solution is cost-effective and user-friendly, promoting greater independence and safety for visually impaired individuals.