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smart assistive navigation system (sans)

### Description The Smart Assistive Navigation System (SANS) is a modular, affordable navigation aid for individuals with visual impairments. This system uses a combination of ultrasonic sensors and computer vision to detect obstacles and provide audio feedback to the user about their surroundings. The goal is to empower users to navigate their environment safely and independently. ### Implementation Plan 1. **Research and Requirements Gathering**: - Understand the needs of visually impaired individuals through interviews or focus groups. - Identify the types of obstacles common in various environments (e.g., streets, buildings, parks). 2. **Component Selection**: - Use an Arduino Nano or Raspberry Pi for the main processing unit. - Select ultrasonic sensors for obstacle detection and a camera module for computer vision tasks. - Choose a lightweight audio output device (e.g., a small speaker or buzzer). 3. **System Design**: - Create a schematic of the electronic components, showing how they will be connected. - Design a 3D-printed housing to hold the components securely and attach to a cane or backpack. 4. **Software Development**: - Program the Arduino or Raspberry Pi to read data from the ultrasonic sensors and process images from the camera. - Implement algorithms to identify obstacles and provide feedback (e.g., distance to obstacles, direction to navigate). - Use text-to-speech libraries to convert obstacle information into audio cues. 5. **Prototyping**: - Assemble the components on a breadboard and test the basic functionality of obstacle detection. - Refine the software to improve accuracy and responsiveness. - Ensure the audio feedback is clear and helpful. 6. **User Testing**: - Conduct usability tests with visually impaired participants to gather feedback on the system’s effectiveness and comfort. - Iterate on the design based on user feedback to enhance usability. 7. **Final Assembly**: - Transfer the circuit from the breadboard to a permanent PCB to ensure durability. - Integrate the components into the housing, ensuring ease of use and comfort for the user. - Test the final product thoroughly in real-world scenarios. 8. **Documentation**: - Prepare a user manual explaining how to use the system and troubleshoot common issues. - Document the code and circuit design for future developers. 9. **Presentation**: - Create a visually appealing presentation and demo to showcase the project during the hackathon. - Highlight the user feedback and how it informed the design decisions.