E3S Web of Conferences 391, 01143 (2023)
5 Jun 2023
Smart Parking Assistant with Sensor-Based Distance Measurement and IoT Integration for Real-Time Monitoring via Blynk App
Introduction
The Smart Parking Assistant project is designed to improve the safety and ease of parking through the use of ultrasonic sensors. By measuring the distance between a vehicle and nearby obstacles, the system provides real-time alerts to the driver, reducing the risk of collisions. In addition, the solution includes an automated control system for garage appliances, which can be managed remotely via a mobile application. This integration of IoT technology not only makes parking safer but also enhances convenience for users, making it a valuable addition to modern driving environments.
Literature Survey
In order to develop an efficient Smart Parking Assistant, various existing technologies were reviewed:
1.Optical Wireless Sensor Networks
These systems monitor parking spaces but have limitations such as frequent gadget failures and difficulties in accurately detecting vehicle sizes.
2.Reservation-based Smart Parking Systems
These systems allow users to reserve parking spots in advance. However, they face challenges like Bluetooth’s limited range and connection instability, which can hinder their effectiveness.
3.IoT-based Smart Parking Assist Systems
Infrared sensors are employed in these systems to track parking availability. Despite their potential, these systems can sometimes contribute to congestion, especially in busy parking lots.
4.RFID-based Automated Parking Systems
These systems automate parking entries and exits through RFID tags. While they improve efficiency, they are vulnerable to malfunctions in the RFID tags, which can disrupt the entire process.
5.Smart Parking Sensors for Open Lots
These sensors offer higher efficiency by monitoring large parking areas but come with high costs due to the need for multiple sensors to cover wide spaces.
Proposed Methods
The Smart Parking Assistant consists of three primary modules that work together to ensure safe parking and control over garage appliances:
1.Ultrasonic Sensor Module
The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is used to measure the distance between the vehicle and nearby walls or obstacles. When the vehicle comes too close (within 50 cm), a buzzer is activated to alert the driver. This module helps drivers avoid collisions by providing real-time feedback.
2.Electrical Components Module
This module controls the garage appliances using a relay connected to the ESP32 microcontroller. The relay allows wireless control of appliances through a mobile app, enhancing convenience by enabling remote access and control of the garage environment.
3.User Interface Module
The system integrates with the Blynk IoT platform, which displays sensor data and allows users to control the relay. The user-friendly interface on the mobile application provides real-time updates on the vehicle’s proximity to obstacles and allows seamless control of garage appliances.
Results and Discussions
The performance of the Smart Parking Assistant was evaluated through the functionality of its individual modules:
1.Ultrasonic Sensor Module
The module accurately measures the distance between the vehicle and obstacles, with real-time updates shown on both the serial monitor and the mobile app. The system successfully triggers the buzzer when the vehicle reaches the critical distance of 50 cm, ensuring driver awareness and preventing potential collisions.
2.Electrical Components Module
This module demonstrated reliable control of garage appliances via wireless relay commands. The relay's response to user input through the mobile app was immediate, switching between ON and OFF states seamlessly. The integration with the ESP32 module provided smooth, real-time control of the appliances, further enhancing the usability of the system.
3.User Interface Module
The Blynk IoT platform served as an intuitive interface for displaying the distance measurements and appliance controls. Users could easily monitor the sensor readings and manage appliances with minimal effort. The real-time nature of the data provided a practical, user-friendly experience, making the system highly effective for daily use.
Conclusion and Future Enhancements
The Smart Parking Assistant successfully addresses the key challenges of parking safety and convenience. By using ultrasonic sensors, the system provides accurate real-time distance measurements, helping drivers avoid collisions during parking. The addition of IoT-enabled control over garage appliances further enhances the user experience, making the system both practical and easy to use.
Future improvements could make the system even more robust and versatile, including:
Multiple Ultrasonic Sensors: Integrating additional sensors to cover different angles around the vehicle would provide a more comprehensive view of the surroundings, further reducing the risk of collisions.
Expanded Appliance Control: Extending the system’s capabilities to manage multiple garage appliances would offer users greater flexibility and convenience.
Port Expansion Chips: Implementing port expansion chips to increase the number of input/output pins would enable the control of up to 128 relays, allowing for the management of larger or more complex garage setups.
These future enhancements would improve the system's effectiveness and adaptability, making it a comprehensive solution for smart parking and automated garage management.
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Our Team
Our team collaborated effectively on the A vs. Depth-Limited Search* project, leveraging individual strengths to analyze and compare these search algorithms. Through active discussions, shared responsibilities, and collective problem-solving, we successfully implemented and evaluated both algorithms, demonstrating the power of teamwork in achieving technical excellence.
