Sandy Chen Chen 

Smart White Cane and Headset System for the Visually impaired 

City College of New York 

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Table of Contents

Cover page ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1

Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………2

Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..3

Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………4

Initial Needs Statement…………………………………………………………..…………………………………………5

Customer Need………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………..5

Revised Needs Statement and Target Specifications………………………………..………………………….5

External Search……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6

Target Metrics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6

Benchmarking……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7

Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………8

References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9

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Abstract 

This design report presents the development of a smart white cane and headset system for people who are visually impaired. The system would be embedded with AI-powered cameras that can detect obstacles and audio guidance. The device connects to a smartphone for GPS navigation and accessibility tools. This report would discuss the problem, customer needs, design alternatives, and concept development of the smart white cane .

Introduction

According to an international nonprofit organization, Orbis, “There are 43 million people living with blindness”(para. 2), facing daily challenges related to mobility and social participation. White canes are widely used by the blind to detect obstacles on the ground, but it cannot identify above-ground hazards, offer directions, or adapt to unfamiliar environments. As a result, many blind individuals remain indoors or depend on others to navigate public spaces, limiting their independence.

This project proposes the development of a smart white canes and headset system to assist visually impaired users by providing a detailed situation. The system combines a lightweight, ergonomically designed white canes embedded with an AI processor and a wireless headset for delivering real-time voice feedback. The system will be able to detect obstacles, report back on the user’s surroundings, and integrate with GPS navigation apps via a smartphone connection.

Objectives

• Create a lightweight, ergonomic white canes with embedded AI, like Siri.
• Use AI vision for obstacle detection and object recognition.
• Connect wirelessly to a smartphone for GPS and any other information.
• Provide real-time voice feedback through a headset.
• Increase mobility, safety, and independence for users.

Initial Needs Statement

Helping the people who are visually impaired go outdoors more comfortable. This mobility aids not only detects ground obstacles but also recognizes environmental hazards, delivers voice feedback, and integrates with GPS navigation tools. The system must be lightweight, safe, easy to use, and affordable.

Customer Need

Many visually impaired individuals outdoors would feel “unsafe sidewalks, existence of obstacles on sidewalks, difficulty reading”(Riazi et al.,2016, p. 85). This means that many visually impaired individuals are not they do not want to go outside, instead they feel unsafe. So this product would be embedded with AI that can help them to detect any obstacle with a headset that can tell them what is happening around them in real-time. 

• AI –  Since our target customer is the people who are visually impaired, then AI to read and to listen to the user’s demand to implement.
• Headset –  To ensure the users can hear the sound from the white cane  clearly.
• Tap to identity – Help the users identify the round or any obstacle.

Revised Needs Statement and Target Specifications

A white cane  with a headset that is embedded with AI to help the individuals who are visually impaired.

External Search

Ideally, the phone should have an app that connects with the smart white cane  and the headset. The app should have AI, like Siri, when the users talk, it can hear, respond back correspondingly and perform the task. The white cane  would also have a function to identify anything when the users touch an object. And the voice would transfer to the headset. Adopt the headset because it can ensure that users can hear clearly. There are many similar technologies. But they are not designed for the visually impaired individuals. For example, Siri, translation pen and bluetooth headset.

Siri will get information from the users and perform tasks (Apple store). The smart white cane  also would have this function that can help the visually impaired individuals to control the smart white cane . Besides, the smart white cane  also has a function to identify an object and read aloud. This function is just like a translation pen that can point and scan the text, and quickly provides a translation or reads aloud the words in the selected language. Last but not at least, the headset is just like a normal wireless headset that can connect to the phone.  

Target Metrics

• At least 85% accuracy for object recognition within 2 meters.
• Minimum 80% clarity score in speech playback; ability to hear ambient sounds. 
• Voice feedback within 2–3 seconds of direction change; location accuracy within 5 meters.

Benchmarking 

Feature	Expectation
Weight	minus 1.5 kg
Detection range	2 meters
Time for feetback	2 seconds
Audio clarify	greater than 80 percent
Cost	minus 400

Conclusion

In summary, the smart white cane  would help the visually impaired individuals to detect obstacles, and be convenient to go outside. The smart white cane  would have the similar function of Siri, translation pen and wireless headset. 

Reference 

Apple. (n.d.). Find out what Siri can do on an iPhone. Retrieved April 12, 2025, from https://support.apple.com/en-bw/guide/iphone/ipha48873ed6/ios

Orbis. (2021). Global blindness was slowing prior to pandemic study reveals. Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://www.orbis.org/en/news/2021/new-global-blindness-data

Riazi, A., Riazi, F., Yoosfi, R., & Bahmeei, F. (2016). Outdoor difficulties experienced by a group of visually impaired Iranian people. Journal of current ophthalmology, 28(2), 85–90. Retrieved April 15, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joco.2016.04.002

3L Cost.(n.d). Intelligent Translator Pen. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from  https://www.3lcost.com/en/product/3454/Intelligent+Translator+Pen