Design and Implementation of an IoT-based Smart Glove for Assistive Communication and Elderly Safety

The work presents the design and real-time implementation of a cost-effective IoTbased smart glove aimed at bridging communication barriers for speech-impaired individuals and enhancing safety for elderly users. The glove is powered by an ESP32 microcontroller, integrated with flex sensors and an accelerometer to capture hand gestures and motion data. For speech-impaired users, recognized gestures are converted into meaningful outputs displayed on an I2C LCD and articulated through a DFPlayer Mini audio module. Simultaneously, messages are transmitted in real time via a Telegram bot, enabling remote communication with caregivers. For elderly users, the accelerometer enables fall detection, automatically sending instant alerts through the Telegram platform to designated contacts. The system supports up to 20 unique gesture-based functions with multiple action mappings, making it a versatile tool for daily communication and safety. Prototype testing demonstrates accurate gesture recognition, immediate local feedback, and reliable cloud-based alert transmission. By utilizing low-cost, readily available components and leveraging IoT integration, this smart glove provides a scalable and practical solution for improving the quality of life of both speech-impaired and elderly individuals, especially in the Indian context.