Object Detection using Arduino
Introduction
• Affordable, open-source, widely used in
prototyping
• Works with sensors, cameras, and AI
modules
• Suitable for small-scale detection
projects
Components Required
• Arduino Board (Uno, Mega, or Nano)
• Camera Module (OV7670, ESP32-
CAM, etc.)
• Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)
• Servo motor / Buzzer / LED for
output alerts
Working Principle
• Capturing input from camera or
sensor
• Processing data (Arduino)
• Detecting object presence or
distance
• Triggering action (alarm, movement)
Arduino Code Example
#define TRIG 9
#define ECHO 10
#define BUZZER 6
#define LED 7
long duration;
int distance;
void setup() {
pinMode(TRIG, OUTPUT);
pinMode(ECHO, INPUT);
pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);
pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
[Link](9600);
}
Contd.,
void loop() {
// Send ultrasonic pulse
digitalWrite(TRIG, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(TRIG, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(TRIG, LOW);
Contd.,
// Measure time of echo
duration = pulseIn(ECHO, HIGH);
// Calculate distance in cm
distance = duration * 0.034 / 2;
[Link]("Distance: ");
[Link](distance);
[Link](" cm");
Contd.,
// Object detection condition
if (distance > 0 && distance < 20) { // object within
20 cm
digitalWrite(BUZZER, HIGH);
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
} else {
digitalWrite(BUZZER, LOW);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
}
delay(200);
}
Approaches
• Sensor-based detection (Ultrasonic / IR
sensors)
• Camera-based detection (with ML libraries like
TensorFlow Lite)
• Trade-offs: Accuracy vs Cost
Applications
• Obstacle detection in robots
• Smart blind stick for visually impaired
• Automated security systems
• IoT-enabled monitoring devices
Challenges/Limitations
• Limited processing power of Arduino
• Real-time constraints
• Small memory for advanced AI models