Third Eye: An Ultrasonic Sensor-Based Smart Glove for the Visually Impaired

Abstract

This paper presents the development of a \'Third Eye\' ultrasonic glove designed to assist visually impaired individuals in obstacle detection. By using ultrasonic sensors integrated with a microcontroller and haptic feedback system, the glove detects nearby objects and alerts the user through vibration signals. The system aims to enhance mobility and independence by providing real-time spatial awareness. The glove is lightweight, wearable, cost-effective, and can be further improved with voice alerts, GPS integration, and machine learning for object recognition.

Introduction

Visually impaired individuals often face difficulties navigating safely, as traditional tools like white canes detect only nearby ground-level obstacles and miss hazards at higher levels. The Third Eye Ultrasonic Glove introduces a wearable, hands-free solution designed to improve mobility and spatial awareness. The glove uses ultrasonic sensors connected to a microcontroller (Arduino) to continuously scan for obstacles. When an object is detected within a set distance, vibration motors provide intuitive haptic feedback, enabling users to adjust their movement quickly. Its lightweight, compact design makes it comfortable, practical, and cost-effective for daily use.

Literature Review

Previous assistive devices include:

• Ultrasonic headband systems with vibration alerts—effective indoors but lacking portability.

• Smart canes with GPS and voice output—useful but less discreet, bulkier, and limited in noisy environments.
  These studies highlight the need for compact, wearable, user-friendly navigation aids, motivating the development of the ultrasonic glove.

Methodology

The glove integrates:

• Ultrasonic sensors on the palm for forward obstacle detection.

• Arduino Uno to control sensors and vibration motors.

• Rechargeable battery pack for portability.

• Haptic feedback system providing distance-based vibration intensities.

• Lightweight glove construction to ensure comfort and flexibility.
  Testing was conducted both indoors and outdoors, demonstrating reliable real-time obstacle detection.

Results and Discussion

The prototype effectively detected obstacles within 20–100 cm, delivering quick, easy-to-interpret vibration feedback that improved users’ confidence and spatial awareness.
Challenges included:

• Occasional sensor inaccuracies, especially with reflective or uneven surfaces.

• Minor user discomfort during prolonged use.
  Despite these issues, the glove showed strong potential as an accessible, practical mobility aid.

Limitations

• Limited participant testing and controlled environments.

• Sensor inconsistencies under certain surface conditions.

• Battery life insufficient for all-day use.

• Ergonomic design requires refinement for extended comfort.

Future Scope

Potential enhancements include:

• Adding voice alerts, GPS navigation, and machine learning for obstacle type classification.

• Improved ergonomics and moisture-resistant materials.

• Bluetooth connectivity for smartphone integration, personalized settings, travel logging, and SOS alerts.
  These improvements would increase usability, safety, and independence for visually impaired users, advancing the glove toward becoming a comprehensive mobility aid.

Conclusion

The Third Eye Ultrasonic Glove is a promising assistive device aimed at enhancing the mobility and safety of visually impaired individuals. Using ultrasonic sensors and real-time vibration feedback, it helps users detect nearby obstacles quickly and effectively. Its compact, affordable, and user- friendly design makes it suitable for daily use without requiring complex setup or training. Testing showed that the glove performs reliably, and users responded well to the feedback system, gaining better awareness of their surroundings. Although the prototype meets its basic objectives, further improvements can make it a more complete mobility aid. Features like voice alerts, GPS integration, and Bluetooth connectivity could enhance its functionality. Enhancing ergonomics and sensor precision will also improve comfort and usability. Overall, this project contributes to inclusive technology and shows strong potential for real-world use with future refinements.

References

[1] Chen, X., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Design and Implementation of Ultrasonic Sensor-Based Obstacle Detection System for Visually Impaired. IEEE Sensors Journal, 20(12), 6503–6511. [2] Patel, D., & Desai, P. (2019). Haptic Feedback Systems in Wearable Devices: A Review. Journal of Assistive Technologies, 13(4), 197–210 [3] Lee, J., & Kim, S. (2018). Wearable Ultrasonic Navigation Aid for the Blind Using Multi-Sensor Fusion. Sensors, 18(7), 2342. [4] World Health Organization. (2019). Assistive Technology for Persons with Disabilities: A Global Perspective. WHO Press

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Ramchandra Apte , Kalpak Shambhakar, Samiksha Kade, Aayush Kale, Shrawani Kadam, Shreya Kamble, Harshad Y. Kamble. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.