The increasing number of accidents involving children or animals falling into borewells has raised significant safety concerns. Borewells, often left uncovered or unattended, pose a grave danger, especially in rural areas where these accidents can go unnoticed until it is too late. To mitigate this risk, the development of an automated Borewell Rescue System was proposed. This system integrates advanced technologies such as the ESP32 microcontroller, ultrasonic sensors, servo motors, LDR sensors, and the GSM SIM900A module to provide an efficient and automated solution for detecting obstacles and sending alerts in real time. The core objective of this project is to detect human or animal presence in a borewell area, close the lid automatically for safety, and notify authorities via SMS alerts. Additionally, the system is designed to send real-time data to a mobile application through Blynk Cloud, allowing remote monitoring and control.
The system's design incorporates a servo motor to rotate the ultrasonic sensor in a 180-degree arc to scan the borewell for any obstruction. The HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor is used to measure distance and detect objects or humans that may be falling into the borewell. When the sensor detects an object within a predefined threshold distance, the system activates a second servo to close the borewell lid and sound a buzzer for an audible alert. In parallel, the GSM SIM900A module sends an SMS to a predefined number, alerting the concerned authorities or individuals to take immediate action. The LDR sensor is included to detect the day or night status, controlling an LED indicator on the system. If the sensor detects that it is night, the system performs additional actions to ensure safety is maintained at all times.
The system is powered using an ESP32 microcontroller, chosen for its ability to handle multiple I/O interfaces and its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities. Through integration with the Blynk Cloud platform, users can remotely monitor the status of the borewell, including receiving notifications of object detection and viewing system status in real time. The user interface, created through the Blynk mobile app, allows for user control of the system, including manually adjusting the lid position or receiving alerts.
The results of the testing phase showed that the system successfully detected objects, triggered the lid closure mechanism, and sent SMS alerts without significant delays. The Blynk app provided an intuitive interface for real-time monitoring, making it a highly effective tool for preventing borewell accidents. The system's modular design ensures that it can be easily adapted to different types of borewells, and the incorporation of wireless communication enables real-time updates and remote troubleshooting.
The implementation of this system in rural and remote areas can provide a cost-effective and reliable safety solution. It has the potential to reduce the number of borewell-related accidents significantly, saving lives and preventing property damage. Future improvements to the system could include enhancements such as using machine learning for more accurate object detection or integrating solar power systems to ensure the system works in off-grid locations. This project demonstrates the potential of combining IoT, automation, and mobile technology to address critical safety issues in rural environments.