29/09/2025
VisionAid: Paharang students invent Arduino-based assistive device for visually impared individuals
On September 29, 2025, two students from Paharang Integrated School, Kiel Windale Salazar and Quintin Axel Macatangay, presented their project; VisionAid during the District Science Investigatory Project held at the school's Audio Visual Room, with Sir Joebert Cepillo as their coach. Entered under the Mathematics and Computational Science category, their project became the official entry of official entry of District 1 in the Division Science and Technology Fair.
Turning Challenges into Inspiration
The idea for VisionAid came from the daily struggles of visually impaired individuals. These individuals are the ones who often face limits to their independence, which can increase the risk of depression and isolation from society. Without the freedom to walk safely and confidently, they often depend on others for simple movements. Salazar and Macatangay wanted to address this by creating a device that is both low-cost and practical.
As Quintin expressed, “Ginawa namin ang VisionAid hindi lang bilang imbensiyon, para maging gabay at pag-asa niyo rin sa kaligtasan.”
The Device in Action
VisionAid is powered by an Arduino Uno, paired with ultrasonic sensors, a Bluetooth module, an SD card, and a 3-watt speaker. Together, these parts allow the device to scan the environment and provide real-time audio feedback whenever obstacles are near. Simply put, it works like a guiding voice that helps users avoid accidents.
During testing, the device reached 92% obstacle detection accuracy, a 0.29-second response time, and a 93% success rate in safe navigation. It also received a strong usability score of 82/100, showing that users found it reliable and easy to use.
Steps for Future Plan
The journey of building VisionAid was not without challenges. The team had to deal with sensor glitches, audio delays, and short battery life. By recalibrating the sensors, improving their code, and optimizing energy use, they managed to overcome these issues.
Looking ahead, Salazar and Macatangay plan to add more features to make VisionAid even better. Possible improvements include vibration alerts for quiet environments, longer battery life, and wearable designs like glasses or wristbands. These changes could make the device more comfortable and practical for daily use.
Conclusion
For Salazar and Macatangay, VisionAid was more than just a project. It was a chance to build something meaningful. Quintin says, “Masaya naman yung experience kahit kabado,” while Windale added, “Mas gumaan ang pakiramdam matapos naming makita ang resulta ng VisionAid.” Their work shows how young innovators can turn knowledge into invention, offering hope for safer mobility, greater independence, and a brighter future for people with visual impairments.
✒️: Von Ezekiel Gega
✍️: William Caringal, Ayesha Agreda
📷: Ayesha Agreda
🖼️: Angela Banaag
