🧠 Smart Pillbox for Medication Adherence
Type: Personal project | Role: Lead Mechanical & Embedded Designer | Status: Fully Functional Prototype
Co-designed with: Connie Tang, Inclusive & UI/UX designer
Overview
This project addresses the challenge of medication non-adherence among older adults managing chronic illnesses. We developed a smart pillbox designed to be intuitive, portable, and accessible, integrating ergonomic hardware with an inclusive digital interface.
Design Objectives
- Store 7+ days of daily medications in a compact, quadrant-based circular layout
- Simplify medication interaction for elderly users via a touch-based interface
- Ensure manufacturability, repairability, and modular expandability for future iterations
Key Features
- Form Factor: Rounded-square pillbox (110mm × 110mm × 35mm) with four pill compartments and a central electronics module
- Central Interface: 1.28” round capacitive LCD with a custom-designed graphical UI optimized for older adults’ dexterity and cognitive needs
- Core Hardware: Waveshare ESP32-S3 with integrated LCD, LiPo battery, and USB-C charging
- Mechanics: Snap-fit modular enclosure, lid hinge system, and quadrant locking designed in SolidWorks and 3D printed in PLA
Technical Contributions
- Designed and printed multiple iterations of a dual-layer snap-fit enclosure with an internal electronics bay and ergonomic lid mechanism
- Integrated embedded firmware to support pill intake progress tracking, scheduled alerts, and touch navigation (protected by internal logic)
- Developed custom interaction logic and UI navigation in collaboration with an inclusive design specialist to meet accessibility needs
Intellectual Property Note
The detailed implementation of internal mechanical latching, microcontroller signal processing, and custom firmware logic are withheld here to preserve intellectual property rights and future development plans. Design visuals and general descriptions reflect non-confidential elements of the product.
Danniel | Xingyu Hu 