Theoretical Framework
Embedded Files
Commuting is one of the most popular ways of transportation in the Philippines. However, not only does it cause traffic problems for others, but it is also detrimental to those with disabilities, particularly visually impaired Filipinos. Obstructed sidewalks, unsafe pedestrian crossings, and slick overpasses, particularly in Manila, result in a high number of casualties among visually impaired Filipino commuters. We seized this chance as STEM students to develop an innovative solution to this problem and use it as experiential learning for our future field of study. Several foreign-related studies have been conducted on this topic, including the development of smart canes for the visually impaired that are supported by various sensors, as well as a comparison between a regular white cane and an electronic white cane.
Theoretical Framework
The goal of this research is to create an ergonomic and cost-effective smart cane for visually impaired Filipinos utilizing Arduino sensors. The researchers will observe the quantitative differences in average mobility speed, path-following accuracy, and frequency of collisions with obstacles between smart canes and traditional canes. The researchers constructed two identical obstacles, each with 12 boxes and a single starting and ending point. In this matter, the participants will be given instructions on how to maneuver both the different canes before being blindfolded and starting the procedure. In this way, the required variable will be listed in order to forward the findings of the observation.
Procedural Framework
This study uses an experimental design to compare the speed, path-following accuracy, frequency of collision, and ergonomic principles between a white cane and a smart cane. The researchers designed and constructed a prototype of a smart cane using Arduino with navigational sensors, vibration motors, and rechargeable batteries. The participants were randomly selected through probability sampling and instructed to experiment. The researchers will take the data and note the number of obstacles the participants will hit, and the amount of time it will take for them to arrive at their destination. After this, the researchers will then proceed to use Jamovi.com to accurately get the statistical analysis and descriptive statistics of the data gathered.
Procedural Framework
The participants of the study are students from the junior high school and senior high school departments of St. Theresa’s College, Quezon City. The researchers used probability sampling, specifically simple random sampling as they gathered a total of thirty-three participants from both the senior and junior high school departments. Additionally, in the thirty-student sample size, they added three more numbers to give an allowance to the data gathered. After notifying and letting the participants sign the consent form, the participants underwent experimentation.
Procedural Framework
They were blindfolded and brought into an obstacle course wherein they would have to go to the end line using the smart cane or white cane all while avoiding the obstacles. Then, they would do this again using either the white cane or the smart cane. The data is gathered by counting the frequency of obstacles bumped by the participants and the time they finished using a stopwatch. After conducting a comprehensive simulation of the daily challenges the visually impaired face in commuting, the researchers gathered, analyzed, and interpreted the results to aid in answering the research questions.
Procedural Framework
The main inferential analysis used for the data will be the t-test, which compares the means of two nominal groups to find a significant difference between them. The two groups will be called the smart cane trials and the white cane trials. This technique will be used to display and compare the results for the dependent variables, obstacle collision scores, and time in seconds, which will be the main comparison point of reference for the data analysis. The values will be added to the Jamovi statistical software, which will also note the p-value, variance, and standard deviation. Descriptive statistics are also used in this research to note the mean or average of the overall obstacle score, obstacles hit, and time.
Procedural Framework
Different ethical considerations are taken into account while conducting the study. Respect for the participants is the most crucial ethical principle that this study adheres to since it serves as the basis of this research. Before undertaking the experiment, the researchers made sure to read the details regarding the research and consent forms for the participants. They were given a set of detailed instructions on what they were going to do, shown the Data Privacy Act of 2012, and reassured that the experiment would cause no harm. The decision of each individual to engage in the study or not can therefore be regarded as having been respected by the researchers.
Procedural Framework
The participants are informed in the signed consent form that the researchers are allowed to record the experiment for data collection and that their involvement in this process is voluntary. Moreover, they were required to check boxes that asked the following: 1) If they wished to participate. 2) Their right to stay anonymous; and 3) If they wear glasses. Privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity are three additional ethical principles that were accepted in the research that are significant. These assisted the study in accomplishing its goal.
Based on the raw results obtained from the experiment, the average frequency of obstacles bumped by the participants using the smart cane was 2.45 with an average time of 74.16 seconds, while the average frequency of obstacles bumped using the white cane was 4.58 with an average time of 66.69 seconds. This implies that the smart cane made the participants more aware of their surroundings because of the vibrations. A possible explanation for why the average time of the smart cane was higher than that of the white cane is that the participants were more cautious and focused on the goal of avoiding obstacles. Furthermore, the conducted research yielded results indicating that participants using the smart cane had a lower average frequency of bumped obstacles, 2.45, compared to those utilizing the white cane, 4.58, as
it demonstrated a higher avoidance and detection rate, with a mean score of 9.55 out of 12, compared to the white cane group with a mean score of 7.42 out of 12. Additionally, the smart cane significantly reduced collision rates by a large margin, as evidenced by T-test results yielding a p-value less than 0.001. However, it is noteworthy that the average time required to complete the obstacle course was higher for the smart cane users compared to the white cane users. The mean time for the smart cane group was 7.49 seconds longer than that for the white cane group. One of the observations of the researchers while conducting this study was that the participants became more cautious and took the time to wait for the vibrations from the stick while finishing the course. Thus, decreasing the speed accuracy.
The main objective of the research was to further enhance the smart cane by utilizing voice commands, vibrations, and the addition of rechargeable batteries. A power bank improved the smart cane while also prolonging battery life, resulting in less inconvenience for those who would use it. The gaps in the introduction, the lack of vibrations and rechargeable batteries, were addressed.
Then, identifying these quantitative differences between the smart cane and white cane using the same population clearly showed what aspects to improve on in smart canes and the ability of sensors for navigation.
So the final results drew similar conclusions to other studies, notably in the effectiveness of the smart cane in detecting obstacles and how its unfamiliar features can slow down its user. However, it should be noted that certain limitations, such as time constraints and blindness simulation (no visually impaired participants), can all affect the actual practice and evaluation in real-life scenarios with the target population.
In conclusion, by enhancing the standard white cane with sensors and vibrations to create a smart cane, there will be a significant difference in obstacle avoidance but not so in speed. This research can be used to understand what influences speed and awareness to improve medical technology and promote independence for visually impaired people. It can develop smart cane designs to create more effective, convenient, and safe walking aids that researchers, manufacturers, and the population can use. On that note, a few recommendations to further develop the smart cane include: (1) Using sensors and other cues for prototypes. (2) Varying obstacles for tests, from type, height, and size, for better real-life simulations on sidewalks and roads. (3) Including participants who have visual impairments to better understand how they operate white canes.
Katelyn
“Blue”
Marian
“Genuine”
Yunah
“Hungry”
Muskan
“Comical”
Celina
“Energetic”
Mika
“Artsy”
References
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