DOSELAH

What it does

Doselah is a programmable pill dispenser that tackles medication non-adherence by automatically dispensing the correct pills and giving visual and audio reminders to help users, especially the elderly, take their medication on time.

Your inspiration

We noticed that many people, especially the elderly or those on multiple medications, often forget to take their pills or take them at the wrong time. This leads to poor health outcomes and longer recovery times. The idea came from observing how current pillboxes rely too much on memory and routine. We wanted to design something more reliable something that actively reminds users and handles the dispensing for them, so there’s less room for error and less stress for both users and their caregivers.

How it works

Doselah is a smart pill dispenser that gives users the right pills at the right time, without needing them to remember or sort anything. Inside the device is a rotating tray that holds pills in separate compartments. At scheduled times, the tray turns to release the correct set of pills through an opening. A built-in speaker and light remind the user to take their medication, and everything is controlled by a small computer (an Arduino) programmed with the user’s pill schedule. To make sure it’s accurate, we use a magnetic sensor to track the tray’s position and a limit switch to reset the position if anything goes off. There’s also an LCD screen to show information like the time and next dose. The design is meant to be simple to set up and easy to use, just load the pills, set the schedule, and let the dispenser handle the rest.

Design process

We set out to make medication-taking easier and more reliable, especially for elderly users. Early on, we identified common problems: missed doses, confusing schedules, and difficulty handling pills. This led us to design a device that automates dispensing and provides clear reminders. Concept Stage We considered three dispensing methods horizontal carousel, vertical stack and tiered system. The horizontal carousel offered the best mix of usability, size, and capacity. 1st Prototype Made from cardboard and simple materials, it helped us test layout and function. While the carousel mechanism worked, the stepper motor lacked accuracy without a feedback system. 2nd Prototype We redesigned the casing in SolidWorks with a rectangular base to better fit the Arduino, PCB, and power unit. We added an LCD slot, a pill ramp, and replaced the stepper motor with a servo motor and magnetic encoder for better precision. A limit switch was added to define a home position, and an array system was implemented to track dispensing cycles. Current Status Each iteration improved both hardware and software. The design is now compact, more accurate, and easier to maintain. It's ready for functional testing, with future plans to integrate Bluetooth and app-based monitoring.

How it is different

Doselah stands out for combining automation and accessibility in a compact system. Unlike typical pillboxes or timer-based reminders that rely on users to remember or sort pills, Doselah automates the entire process it stores, tracks, reminds, and dispenses without daily input. Most existing products only provide reminders without dispensing or involve complex setups that aren’t elderly-friendly. Doselah addresses this with a simple interface, clear alerts, and a mechanism that physically delivers the right pills on time. It also includes features uncommon in low-cost devices, like a magnetic encoder for accurate rotation, a limit switch for homing, and array-based logic for dose tracking. Designed with local users in mind, it’s compact for HDB homes, affordable (SGD$70–100), and easy to maintain. It’s not just another smart pillbox, it’s a practical tool that fits real-world routines.

Future plans

The next step for Doselah is to move from prototype to a fully functional user-ready product. We plan to use medical-grade plastics for better durability and hygiene and refine the electronics for long term reliability. A companion mobile app will let caregivers monitor medication use remotely and receive alerts if a dose is missed. We also aim to conduct user testing with elderly individuals and caregivers to gather feedback on usability and comfort. This will help improve both hardware and software. Our goal is to make Doselah a reliable, affordable solution that simplifies daily medication for home users, eldercare facilities and clinics.

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