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Internet of Things (IOT) Solution for Increasing the Quality of Life

of Physically Challenged People

Article  in  Journal of Organizational and End User Computing · October 2017

DOI: 10.4018/joeuc.2017100104

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Journal of Organizational and End User Computing
Volume 29 • Issue 4 • October-December 2017

Internet of Things (IOT) Solution

for Increasing the Quality of Life of
Physically Challenged People
G. M. Siddesh, Department of Information Science and Engineering, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
K. G. Srinivasa, Department of Information Technology, Ch. Brahm Prakash Government Engineering College, New
Delhi, India
Siddharth Kaushik, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
S. V. Varun, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
Vidhatri Subramanyam, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India
Vinay M. Patil, Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bangalore, India

ABSTRACT

Visually Impaired (VI) people generally face difficulties during their pedestrian commute, when
forced on to side-walks cluttered with vendors, animals and other obstacles. No single system can
comprehensively cover all of their mobility needs. The proposed system intends to provide smart
electronic aid for the VI which is appropriate to complement their white cane using the principles
of the IoT. It detects any low-lying obstacles on its course and alerts the user to them and also uses
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology which is a component of any smart phone, to pinpoint
the VI’s location when necessary. A feedback system, which is essentially a simple auditory circuit,
which alarms the user of any obstacle, and informs priory designated guardians about the VI’s current
whereabouts, done by transmitting the coordinates of VI to a registered mobile number fed into an
Android Application.

Keywords
IoT, Mobile Application, Navigational Aid, Visually Impaired (VI)

INTRODUCTION

IoT is an emerging technology in the computing and communications sector which enables a network
of smart devices to interact seamlessly. Generally speaking, IoT refers to the networked interconnection
of everyday objects, which are often equipped with all-pervasive intelligence, meaning it will increase
the reach of the Internet by integrating every object for interaction, which leads to a highly-distributed
network of devices communicating with human beings as well as other devices (D Wang, 2014).
Objects that are used every day get transformed into smart objects able to sense, interpret and react to
circumstance owing to the combination of the Internet and emerging technologies. This technology
brings about a change in the way communication happens between people, things and environment.

DOI: 10.4018/JOEUC.2017100104

Copyright © 2017, IGI Global. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global is prohibited.


72
 Journal of Organizational and End User Computing
Volume 29 • Issue 4 • October-December 2017

According to this paradigm, many of the objects that surround us will be on the network in one or
the other form. Sensor network and Frequency Identification (RFID) and technologies will emerge to
meet this new challenge, in which information and communication systems are invisibly embedded
in the environment around us. This novel computing paradigm will need to go beyond traditional
mobile computing scenarios that use smart phones and portable devices, and evolve into connecting
everyday existing objects and embedding intelligence into our environment.
The IoT has many applications and makes familiar devices responsive to smartphones via the
Internet. It has the potential to impact socially, economically and also environmentally. Appropriate
decision and action can be taken with the help of precise information about the status, location and
identity of things, which forms a part of the environment. IoT concepts have been manifested in a
wide range of domains, from logistics, transport and asset tracking, smart environments (homes,
buildings, infrastructure), to energy, defense and agriculture. In essence, IoT impacts and certainly
has the potential to significantly influence all facets of society (Coetzee, 2011). Its applications also
include physical presence in lighting and heating products, safety and security monitoring devices,
health products, intelligent traffic management and waste management systems. It is apparent that
IoT is relevant in every step in every value chain (D Wang, 2014).
A standout amongst the most pervasive effects of IoT is its ability to reach out to the community,
which is extremely vital. It has a great potential to be effective if sufficient consideration is taken during
execution. It is a solid conviction that the IoT can offer individuals with disabilities the necessary
help that they need for them to attain a better quality of life, thus encouraging them to take part in
social and economic activities. While the IoT still being in its developing stage is only starting to
have an impact on the lives of people with disabilities, the possibilities for the future seem endless.
VI faces many challenges while travelling. They typically use canes, but the traditional cane
cannot detect objects higher than the waist. The lack of support services makes them rely completely
on another person for guidance, which prevents them from being economically active and socially
included. No single existing system can satisfy all of their needs. The project intends to successfully
utilize IoT infrastructure. Based on the VI user’s perception of his state of awareness, relevant
information is retrieved using IoT infrastructure for positioning. The proposed project is cost effective
and has easy to use obstacle detection unit that is appropriate to complement a walking stick for the
VI. In addition to this, the project attempts to make an application interface to assist the VI through
auditory feedback and also to help their family track their movements. Individuals with complete visual
blindness or low vision frequently have a herculean task of self-exploring the outside surroundings.
Strolling down a crowded road with just the white cane may cause a lot of problems for the VI.
The lack of support services can make them completely dependent on their family members, which
prevents them from being financially independent. There is a need for a single assistance model that
can satisfy all of their mobility needs. An affordable and basic instrument to aid the VI has been the
need for many researchers across the world.

RELATED WORK

People with disabilities in the world’s population contribute to 15% (WHO, 2011). The different
problems faced by these people are related to lack of support for service accessibility to buildings,
transportation, information and communication (Domingo, 2012). The technological advances in
communication can be used for enhancing better living opportunities for people with disabilities.
IoT can be used for assistance to people with different disabilities and thus allow them to achieve a
good quality of life. Visually impaired (VI) people require specialized interfaces for communication

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