A Self-Powered Smart White Cane for Improving Mobility of Visually Impaired Person Using a Triboelectric Nanogenerator

Abstract

The present research offers an innovative approach to enhance the safety and mobility of people with visual impairments by using a smart white cane sensor. Herein, an aluminum electrode, Kapton film, and an inexpensive PET substrate are employed to develop an origami-shaped multilayered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) device. The multilayered integration of three-unit TENGs produces output with a high power of 51 μW at 50 MΩ, along with 155 V and 4.5 μA. Capacitor charging, low-power electronics powering, and the integration of mechanoluminescent materials are demonstrated. The integration of mechanoluminescent materials enables efficient identification of visually impaired people in regions with poor lighting. A single-electrode TENG is also implemented for successful surface material detection. To further enhance the sensor's capabilities, digital signal processing techniques are employed for obstacle recognition on their route. The intelligent white cane sensor effectively detects obstructions, offering the user instantaneous feedback and enabling more secure navigation in sophisticated environments. This study highlights the possibility of integrating TENG technologies to provide a complete solution for people with visual impairments. The smart white cane sensor has the potential to greatly increase the safety and independence of visually impaired people in a variety of outdoor and public spaces. © 2024 The Authors. Energy Technology published by Wiley-VCH GmbH This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.