Microcontroller-based Navigational Aid with

Global Positioning System for the Blind

AUSTRIA, Jay Kenneth Z

BAUTISTA, Ryan I
FERNANDEZ, Raezelldon Stephen D
MENDIGORIA, Sadirit O
QUIRAY, Zarah Laurice M
RUPISAN, Aryhanne Mae A
SORIANO, Amanda R

Introduction
White cane is a tool used by the blind. It is
designed to get clues about their environment and
use this information for quick reaction. It is a way
of people to recognize that the users are visually
impaired or have disabilities.
However, the white canes functionality remains
limited for the blind people, relying on the users
ability to detect objects. Traveling or simply
walking down a crowded street may pose great
difficulty.

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY-INSTITUTE FOR

INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC.
(SLU-IIEFI)
SLU-IIEFI aims to make
education accessible and
available to all learners
regardless of whether
they have physical,
sensory, or mental
impairments and assures
equitable success in
education through
inclusive practice.

Objective
This study is to add features
into the cane to provide a better
mobility
device.
The
implementation will help the
students of SLU-IIEFI as well as
other blind people in detecting
obstacles and in identifying
their current locations by
providing audible names of the
places within Baguio City.

Block Diagram
INPUT

PROCESS

Power
Supply

GPS
Module
Memory
Card

Microcontroller

Ultrasonic
Sensors

OUTPUT
Motor
Driver

Vibrating
Motors

Bluetooth
Transmitter

Bluetooth
Earpiece

Actual Picture

Actual Picture

Fr. Jessie Hechanova with Engr Bonifacio Dela Pena

Summary
The Microcontroller-based Navigational Aid
Cane with Global Positioning System for the Blind
converts the inputs from the ultrasonic sensors and
GPS module into a corresponding distance and
audio format respectively. The microcontroller
serves as the central processing of the system that
would output signals to the motor driver which
produces different strength of vibrations and to the
Bluetooth transmitter for a corresponding audio
output which can then be heard by the blind person
through Bluetooth earpiece.

Conclusion
The system is designed and constructed to
provide a better navigational aid for the blind by
using ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles with a
maximum of two meters and Global Positioning
System to provide the current location of the user.
Also, the project is capable of operating without the
need of computer interface. Through this, the
system would be affordable for its users.

For the GPS module, use a GPS module with higher specifications and smaller in size that can receive coordinates indoors.

Recommendations
For the obstacle detector, use camera to
identify what type of obstacle is approaching or
add more ultrasonic sensors to provide a wider
range of detection.
For the GPS module, use a higher specification
GPS module so that the system can receive
coordinates indoors.

Bill of Materials
Materials
Resistor
Transistor
Capacitor
Diode

Motor Driver Module

Price
0.5
7
3
5
PHP

Qty
4
2
2
2

Amount
2
14
6
10
32

Price

Qty

Amount

0.5

Memory Card Module

Materials
Resistors

PHP

Bill of Materials
Bluetooth Transmitter
Materials

Price

Qty

Amount

Resistors

0.5

3.5mm Jack

30

30

750

750

Bluetooth Transmitter

PHP

781

Bill of Materials
Materials
Female Break-away Header
Soldering Lead
Male-Male Jumper Wire
Matrix Board
Electrical Tape
Toggle Switch
Spray Paint
Fiber Glass
Bolt and Nut
Aluminum
Door Hinge

Others
Price
0.4
10
3
35
24
30
100
90
40
10
5
PHP

Qty
15
3
25
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1

Amount
6
30
75
35
24
60
100
90
40
10
5
475

Bill of Materials
Materials

Price

Qty

Amount

Ultrasonic Sensor

200

400

Gizduino X

1090

1090

GPS module

1385

1385

Vibrating Motor

100

200

18650 mAh Battery

100

300

Bluetooth 3.0 Earphone

480

480

Bluetooth Transmitter

781

781

Memory Card Module

Motor Driver

32

32

Cane

300

300

Others

475

475

TOTAL

PHP

5446

Video