A smart walking stick for the blind people
Let's Discover
C26
Innovation Fest 2025
About C26
UN SUSTAINABILITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Empowered and Driven:
Delivering Solutions for Global Issues
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
(Goal 3: Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well-Being for All at All Ages)
Increases elderly or disabled movement and freedom
Lowers chance of falls with components like obstacle detection or GPS tracing
Promotes movement and independence
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Goal 10 — Reduce inequality within and among countries
Enhances access and inclusivity for persons with mobility challenges
Make assistive tech less expensive and accessible to underserved communities
SDG 11 : Sustainable Cities and Communities
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Helps the elderly and disabled to make their way around urban cities safely
Integration with smart city infrastructure (crossings will get alerts when the person is about to cross)
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation
Encourages development in assistive technology
Fosters interdisciplinary solutions (health + tech + design)
THE STORY BEGAN
DESIGN STORY
Challenges
Challenges in the Development of a Smart Walking Stick Sensor Accurateness and Reliability Real-time obstacle, terrain, or location detection through sensors (e.g., ultrasonic, LiDAR, GPS) - Power Management Striking a balance between utility and battery life — in particular, for folks who’ll be using their camera for extended periods without charging regularly. -User-Friendly Design On the tech-savvy side, making the device more intuitive for elderly or disabled users. - Weight & Ergonomics Add the tech (batteries, sensors, microcontrollers) without making the stick feel like it is heavy or uncomfortable to use. - Weather Resistance Creating a tool that functions consistently under varying nature circumstances (downpour, warmth, cold). - Connectivity Issues Maintaining stable GPS or Bluetooth connections, particularly in remote locations or crowded spaces. - Cost of Components Low cost, high quality materials and technology – Durability & Maintenance Ensuring it is resistant to heavy use and abuse without extensive repairs.
Solution
-Sensor Accuracy and Readability: Implement multi-sensor fusion using ultrasonic, LiDAR, and GPS for improved reliability. Apply machine learning to reduce false positives and adapt to user environments. Calibrate sensors through field tests in diverse conditions. - Power Management: Use low-power microcontrollers (e.g., ESP32 with deep sleep). Add motion-activated power-saving to enable sensors only when in use. Include solar charging or removable battery options. - User-Friendly Design: Provide voice or vibration alerts instead of screens. Use large tactile buttons or a single multifunction button. Optional mobile app for settings and updates. - Weight & Ergonomics: Use lightweight materials like carbon fiber. Optimize internal layout for balanced handling. Prototype grips using 3D printing. - Weather Resistance: Enclose electronics in IP67-rated casings and seal all entries. - Connectivity: Use GPS + GLONASS. Support offline mode and auto-reconnect with LED indicators.
Use Case
Mr. Ahmed is a 72-year-old gentleman with mild visual impairment and arthritis who lives in a metropolitan neighborhood and is independent. He often walks to his local mosque, market and park but has difficulty detecting other people and obstacles, navigating through crowds and remembering routes. His smart walking stick makes his daily routines safer and easier. The stick warns him with slight vibrations when it senses nearby objects, such as uneven sidewalks or low-hanging branches. It also uses GPS to provide him with audible directions to his destinations, like the clinic or grocery store. For emergencies, he can push the integrated SOS button, which immediately uploads his location to his daughter’s phone. It is light and weather-proof and energy-efficient so that it can last in the field all day long. As such, with this assistive technology, Mr. Ahmed regains his confidence and freedom, and his family, more peace of mind.
TECHNOLOGIES
List of Essential Tools and Technologies
THE PROCESS
PROTOTYPE DESIGN
Smart Walking Stick description Our prototype is a simple yet effective walking stick, equipped with all essential assistive components to make walking a pleasurable and safe experience. The stick is made of lightweight and sturdy aluminum, allowing users to transport without sacrificing strength. An ultrasonic sensor positioned close to the base is used to detect if the user is in the path of an object within 1.5 meters, vibrating the handle when this happens. It has a GPS module inside so one can access real-time location tracking and navigation along with a tiny speaker that offers voice guidance. The stick comes with an SOS button that, if pressed, sends the user’s live location to a pre-set emergency contact by Bluetooth connection to a mobile app. The device is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, high fuel economy components are used to extend usage time. Electronics are protected by an all-weather casing providing reliable operation in variable environmental conditions. It comes complete with rubberized, anti-slip grip, adjustable height for the user and a design that takes comfort into consideration. The prototype combines safety, technology, and accessibility into an easy-to-use mobility device.
Online Marketing
Creative agency
Web development
PLEDGE
Impact on the market
By catering to the essential needs of an aging population as well as people with mobility or sight disabilities, the intelligent walking stick can make its mark in the assistive tech industry. Given the changing face of the world with more people over the age of 60 than in any time in history, the need for solutions to help older people live independently and safely and improve their quality of life is soaring! What also sets this product apart, however, is the fact that it packs in many essential features including the three most important ones — obstacle detection, GPS tracking and emergency alerts — in one easy-to-use device. The price point and durable design appeal to individuals but also makes it a great fit for healthcare providers, elderly care centers and rehabilitation programs, as they can provide real-time safety features at an affordable price point. The product is not only a smart, handy companion but also a scalable, improving local and global quality of life solution, filling a gap in the market for smart, affordable mobility aids.
RESULTS
FINAL PRODUCT
There was structure and teamwork involved from idea to final prototype in the construction of our smart walking stick. Our first step was to conduct user research to understand the needs of elderly people and people with visual or mobility disabilities. From this, we defined features including obstacle detection, GPS tracking, emergency SOS, alerts, and voice navigation. To create a product that improves safety, encourages independence and is easy to use.
Then we transitioned to design, sketching out initial concepts and choosing lightweight, durable materials such as aluminum for the frame of the stick. Ultrasonic sensors, GPS module and a microcontroller (ESP32/Arduino) were chosen as the primary electronics due to their low cost, low power usage and compatibility. We also designed 3D-printed mounts to secure our components in a compact manner.
During the assembly phase, we connected the components, programmed the microcontroller to process the sensor data, and built a rudimentary mobile interface for geolocation and emergency notifications. Battery issues and weatherproofing were tackled to ensure real world use.
Ultimately, we will implement field tests with users to glue new parts on feedback and refine grip design, range and intensity of the sensor and vibration. The end product is a working prototype of a smart walking stick that clearly demonstrates innovation, pragmatism and approachability.