Independent navigation in dynamic and unfamiliar environments remains a major concern for individuals with visual impairments. Conventional mobility aids such as white canes and guide dogs offer limited spatial awareness and may not effectively detect obstacles at varying distances or heights. This paper introduces an Intelligent Shoe System for Blind Navigation that enhances user safety and mobility through real-time sensing and feedback mechanisms. The system embeds ultrasonic and infrared sensors within footwear to continuously monitor the surrounding environment and identify obstacles in the user's path. A microcontroller processes sensor inputs and provides immediate feedback through vibration and audio cues, enabling intuitive and hands-free navigation. The design optionally incorporates GPS and wireless communication to support outdoor navigation, route assistance, and emergency alerts. Emphasis is placed on low power consumption, affordability, and comfort to ensure suitability for everyday use. Experimental results indicate improved obstacle detection performance and a noticeable reduction in collision incidents when compared to traditional assistive tools. The proposed intelligent shoe system aims to promote greater independence, confidence, and overall quality of life for visually impaired users.
Manikandan et al. (Thu,) studied this question.