Biomedical Engineering + Health Technology
Design a walking aid with obstacle alerts
Add distance sensing and vibration feedback to a cane, designed with advice from a visually impaired user.
- DifficultyIntermediate
- Estimated time2–4 weeks
- Budget₹1,000–₹2,500
- ClassClass 10 to college
- Team2–3 people
- You needArduino required
Prerequisites: Arduino basics
Original · by TechnifyedArduino ProjectSocial Impact ProjectHardwareWell documentedTwo subjects
Overview
An ultrasonic sensor on a cane measures the distance to obstacles above ground level, where a cane cannot reach. A vibration motor pulses faster as an obstacle gets closer.
Why build this?
It is a simple build with a real user; the design lessons come from the person who tests it.
What you will learn
- How to design with a user rather than for one
- How ultrasonic ranging works and where it fails
- How to map distance to feedback people can interpret
- How to test safely
Skills you will use
Safety and ethics
- Use only batteries or a low-voltage supply (12 V or less). Never connect a project to a wall socket.
- This project involves people. Explain what you are doing and get their consent (a parent's or teacher's for children), let anyone stop at any time, collect only what you need, and remove names before you share results.
Materials and tools
- Arduino Nano
- Ultrasonic sensor
- Vibration motor with a transistor
- Battery
- A cane or stick
- Enclosure
Tools and software
Step-by-step roadmap
Start
You will finish with: a working prototype and a feedback report from at least one real user.
- 1
Prerequisites
Know this first: arduino basics. Then collect the 6 items in the materials list.
- 2
Learn
- How to design with a user rather than for one
- How ultrasonic ranging works and where it fails
- How to map distance to feedback people can interpret
- How to test safely
- 3
Plan
Sketch the design, list every part with its price and decide how you will know it works.
- 4
Build
- Talk to a cane user or a teacher at a school for the blind about real problems.
- Read the distance sensor and test its range and angle.
- Pulse the motor faster as the distance falls below 1.5 m.
- Mount everything on a cane with the weight low.
- Test blindfolded in a safe room with a helper.
- Ask your user to try it and record their feedback.
- 5
Test
It should warn reliably for chest-height obstacles and stay silent in open space.
- 6
Document
Photograph each build stage, keep the circuit or drawing, and note what failed and how you fixed it. Report structure
- 7
Present
Demonstrate it working first, then explain how it works and what you would improve. Presentation structure · Viva questions
- 8
Publish
Share a short video, the parts list and the drawing or code so someone else can build it.
Expected outcome
A working prototype and a feedback report from at least one real user.
Other versions of this project
Beginner version
Use a buzzer instead of vibration and test only indoors.
Advanced version
Add a second sensor for head height and distinct patterns for each.
Social-impact version
Share the design and parts list openly so others can build it.
Make this project better
- BasicUse a buzzer instead of vibration and test only indoors.
- This projectDesign a walking aid with obstacle alerts
- AdvancedAdd a second sensor for head height and distinct patterns for each.
Hackathon mode
Text marked "You write this" is a prompt for your own work; everything else is specific to this project.
- Problem
- An ultrasonic sensor on a cane measures the distance to obstacles above ground level, where a cane cannot reach.
- Target user
- You write thisOne specific person: who they are and when they would use this.
- Solution
- Add distance sensing and vibration feedback to a cane, designed with advice from a visually impaired user.
- First version (MVP)
- Use a buzzer instead of vibration and test only indoors.
- Tech stack
- Arduino
- Architecture
- You write thisA quick sketch of the parts and how they connect.
- Demo
- It should warn reliably for chest-height obstacles and stay silent in open space.
- Stretch goals
- Add a second sensor for head height and distinct patterns for each.
Team roles
Plan by length
24-hour
- Hours 0–2: agree the problem, the user and the one thing the demo must show
- Hours 2–16: build only the first version
- Hours 16–20: test the demo path end to end and fix what breaks
- Hours 20–24: slides, a 2-minute demo script and a backup recording
48-hour
- Evening 1: problem, user, sketch and task split
- Day 1: first version working end to end
- Day 2 morning: one stretch goal and testing
- Day 2 afternoon: polish, slides and demo practice
1-week
- Day 1: research the problem and talk to two possible users
- Days 2–4: first version
- Day 5: stretch goals
- Day 6: testing and write-up
- Day 7: demo video and presentation
Working as a team
2–3 people. Suggested roles:
Report and presentation
Report structure
- Title and aim
- The problem it solves
- How it works (principle)
- Parts list with cost
- Design: drawing, circuit or block diagram
- Build steps
- Testing and results
- Problems faced and fixes
- Limitations
- Future improvements
- References
Presentation structure
- The problem
- The idea
- How it works (one diagram)
- Parts and cost
- The build (photos)
- Live demo or video
- Test results
- What did not work
- Next version
Viva questions
Try answering before you open each one.
Why vibration instead of sound?
Hearing is needed for traffic and conversation, so it should be left free.
What can the sensor miss?
Thin objects, glass and things at steep angles.
What did your user change?
Describe one real piece of feedback.
Is it a replacement for the cane?
No, it only adds information about higher obstacles.
Resources
Source and attribution
Original
Written by Technifyed. Free to use for your own school or college project; write the report in your own words. Added 1 Oct 2026.
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