[nfb-talk] Fw: digital walking stick

Ed Meskys edmeskys at roadrunner.com
Sun Nov 24 20:28:22 UTC 2013


I remember the SonicGuide and the Laser Cane of the early 70s, and the recent of our R&D committee to put a laser rangefinder in a conventional looking light weight cane. Ed Meskys
----- Original Message ----- 
To: Ed Meskys 
Sent: Sunday, November 24, 2013 1:20 PM
Subject: digital walking stick



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Gadget Freak Case #248: Digital Walking Stick for the Blind

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Marin Davide 
11/21/2013   13 comments
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Marin Davide has created a digital walking stick for the blind. The gadget -- a low-cost, completely open-source build -- was designed to give the user a better perception of space and distance.

Davide built a sonar system and microprocessor into the stick, so it can determine the distance of objects up to six meters with an accuracy of a few centimeters. The stick can work in a continuous manner or by pressing a button. Using the button doubles the life of the battery. In the initial prototype, the battery lasts for three hours and can be recharged in 30 minutes.

A telescopic cane can be incorporated so the gadget can be used as a traditional walking stick if the battery discharges.

Click the image below to see more photos.


Marin Davide's objective was to build a digital stick for the blind that would cost the same as a traditional stick. Here is a view of a thumb operating the stick's feedback loop.

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Table 1: Allied Parts List 
Amt Part Description Allied Part #
1 Strap, Battery; 9V, 4 in lead wires, Phos Bronze, Nickel plate, PVC, 26 AWG 70181690
1 IC, Dev Kit; Arduino, Uno32; 128KB; Boards-PIC32 70048429
1 LED; Red; 30mcd; T-3mm; 150mA If; 2V Vf; 60deg; 635nm; Diffused; 5V Vr; 105mW 70127527
1 Switch; Panel; 250 mA; Solder Terminal; Copper Alloy (ROHS); Mount hdwr supplied 70214234
1 Board to Board, 1 Row 36 Contact Header(2.54mm), Gold or GTX Contacts 70089033

Table 2: Non-Allied Parts List 
Quantity Description
1 Ultrasonic Range Finder - Maxbotix LV-EZ4
1 HKSCM9-6 Singlechip Digital Micro Servo (6V) 10g / 1.6kg / 0.07s
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