PillPal

What it does

Imagine a personal health assistant that stays with you throughout the day, ensuring you take your medication on time while connecting your doctors with real-time data to enhance your well-being.

Your inspiration

I’ve always been terrible at remembering to take my medicine. But the real reason behind PillPal isn’t just my forgetfulness—it’s my grandma. She lives alone in Oaxaca, where she’s happiest. Recently, she was diagnosed with a bone disease that requires strict medication. Missing a dose or taking the wrong amount could seriously affect her health. Calling her every day isn’t enough—she deserves a solution that keeps her safe while maintaining her independence. That’s why PillPal was born. It’s not just a smart dispenser; it’s peace of mind. It ensures the right dose at the right time and lets family members check in from anywhere.

How it works

How It Works: Automated Dispensing: PillPal is programmed with a user’s medication schedule. When it’s time for a dose, the device automatically releases the correct pills in the right quantity. Smart Reminders: If the user forgets to take their medication, PillPal sends alerts through sound, light, or notifications to their phone. Remote Monitoring: Family members or healthcare providers can track adherence in real time through a connected app, ensuring support when needed. Secure System: The dispenser locks to prevent accidental double dosing or unauthorized access. Data Insights: PillPal records medication habits, generating reports that help doctors adjust treatment plans for better health outcomes.

Design process

Identifying the Problem PillPal was inspired by my grandmother, who lives alone in Oaxaca and was diagnosed with a bone disease requiring strict medication doses. Being far away, we worried she might forget her pills. Many friends also struggle with medication adherence, showing this is a widespread issue. Applying Design Thinking I used Design Thinking, following an iterative process: empathizing with users, defining the problem, ideating solutions, prototyping, and testing. This ensured PillPal addressed real user needs. First Prototype: Hand-Drawn Sketches The first prototype was hand-drawn with my family, focusing on usability, accessibility, scheduled dispensing, and remote monitoring. This helped refine the initial idea. Second Prototype: AI-Generated Design AI helped refine the design, optimizing structure and integrating smart scheduling and connectivity features, making it closer to the final product. PillPal is now a smart, reliable solution with a compact size, solar charging, an intuitive touchscreen, eco-friendly materials, and a fun design to enhance the experience.

How it is different

Health MUST be easy, high quality, and accesible for EVERYONE. Unlike traditional pill organizers that rely on manual use or simple alarms, PillPal ensures real-time adherence tracking and provides caregivers with updates on medication intake. What makes it truly different is: Personalized Smart Reminders – PillPal learns from user habits and adjusts reminders accordingly, preventing missed doses without being intrusive. Remote Monitoring – Family members and healthcare providers can track adherence in real-time, offering peace of mind, especially for those who live far away from their loved ones. AI-Powered Assistance – Unlike standard dispensers, PillPal uses AI to detect patterns and provide insights for better treatment adjustments. User-Centric Design – Created with Design Thinking, it’s intuitive, easy to use, and accessible for all ages, from tech-savvy users to elderly patients.

Future plans

For PillPal’s development, the next stages include R&D to refine dispensing technology and AI accuracy, ensuring optimal performance in real-world scenarios. Prototyping will focus on creating a functional model for controlled testing, leading to a design ready for user trials. The user testing phase will gather insights to improve usability and acceptance, enhancing the interface and overall experience.

Awards