Kadhir Umachandar

Is it possible to create a cheap and effective proximity sensor for a vehicle using an Arduino and distance sensor? This proposed system could act as a collision prevention system by sounding an alarm if the distance between an object and a vehicle decreases to a dangerous level.

Started June 5, 2023

Abstract or project description

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), front impact car collisions are the most common type of car accidents. These accidents are caused by inattentiveness by the driver and can be easily prevented by a warning. Most new cars have this kind of front collision detection system built in but some older cars do not. Since this technology is usually expensive, the goal of this project is to build an affordable device that can be attached onto a car which functions very similarly to the built in collision detection system in newer cars. For this device, there are different types of sensors that could be used. One sensor is the ultrasonic sensor, which uses sound waves to measure distance and detect objects. Another sensor is an infrared (IR) distance sensor, which shoots a beam of IR light to reflect off an object. The distance is then calculated using triangulation of the beam of light [1]. Another sensor is the time of flight distance sensor, which shoots a beam of light or a laser and measures the time it takes to reflect back to calculate distance and detect objects [1]. Using one of these sensors, one may program a device that can sound an alarm when the vehicle they are driving gets dangerously close to an object in front of them. Because sound radiates isotropically, ultrasonic sensors are typically better than IR/laser sensors in detecting rough or bumpy objects [2]. Therefore an ultrasonic sensor is used for this project. For the alarm, there are various buzzers one can use. One example is the Piezo buzzer, which produces sound by using a piezo crystal, a special material that changes shape when voltage is applied to it. Another buzzer is the magnetic buzzer, where a current is driven through a coil of wire to produce a magnetic field. This causes a flexible ferromagnetic disk to move, producing a sound. Through combining an Arduino, an ultrasonic sensor, and piezo buzzer, we present a device that can help prevent a car collision at a low cost compared to the high end collision detection systems of newer cars while providing similar functionality. The proposed alarm system can detect _____ [size] objects at distances ranging between _______ and ______ at ______% accuracy.

References: [1] Types of Distance Sensors and How to Select One? - Latest Open Tech From Seeed (seeedstudio.com) [2] Ultrasonic Sensors: Advantages and Limitations – MaxBotix