ABSTRACT
The measure to gauge technological advancements is not just inventions and innovations but the uplifting of the quality of life in general. The right to live with dignity calls for less dependency on others, which is not so obvious with physically and mentally challenged people. Visually challenged people feel that the basic human activity of navigation is their biggest challenge and therefore remain dependent on guides, dogs, or the traditional white canes/sticks. The guiding solution preferred by the blind is the walking cane. The Internet of Things (IOT) is a communication network wherein different physical devices or “things” enabled by sensors and Internet connectivity interact amongst each other as well as with the external environment. IoT is playing a crucial role in the improvement of the traditional white cane for the visually impaired so as to make them less dependent on others and able to live a dignified life. This chapter reviews various IoT-enabled smart sticks equipped with various sensors such as infrared, ultrasonic, rain, etc., Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Global Positioning System (GPS) modules, and other enhanced features. These smart sticks make economic, versatile, and effective aids to navigation for visually challenged people.
