ABSTRACT
This study focused on the design and development of a smart helmet prototype using Arduino technology to address the critical need for rapid emergency notification following a rider accident. Traditional helmets provide physical protection but lack a mechanism to alert others when a rider is unable to call for help. To overcome this, the study aimed to design and develop a functional prototype that automatically detects a crash and triggers emergency communication using SMS and calling only.
The researchers designed and developed a functional smart helmet prototype utilizing components such as Arduino, an accelerometer/gyroscope sensor (MPU6050), a GSM module (SIM800L), a buzzer, and a lithium battery. The system was programmed to continuously monitor motion patterns. Upon detecting a crash-like impact, it automatically sends an SMS and places a voice call to a predefined emergency contact number. The prototype was tested in controlled simulations to assess its detection accuracy, communication reliability, and response time.
The testing results revealed that the prototype successfully detected simulated crash events and reliably initiated both SMS and voice call alerts. The system demonstrated a practical approach to ensuring immediate notification without GPS. Key limitations identified include dependence on cellular network availability, the potential for false positives from non-crash vibrations, and the need for manual contact number configuration. Despite these challenges, the study confirms the feasibility of using Arduino to create a low-cost, effective emergency alert system based solely on SMS and calling functions.
Keywords: Arduino, Accelerometer, GSM Module, Crash Detection, SMS Alert, Emergency Call