Overall Progress Update:
Our significant risks remain pretty much the same as last week, though another has been added since: we are concerned with how to handle when there are only a small handful number of pills left and if our program will be able to account for that when letting multiple pills fall. Our idea right now to handle that is to add funnels to our overall design that allows for pills to flow down regardless of orientation. Now, another risk this may have is that our sizing of the pillbox may increase significantly. We plan on first sticking with this initial prototype to have a working design first then adjust afterwards as needed.
The system has changed in the sense that we no longer have motors controlling the opening of the pillboxes, rather to allow for a better offline functionality, it will be handled through a simple lever or button system so that it’s still accessible and easier to use than normal pillboxes but without the additional wireless electrical motor system that can cause more issues than necessary. We are also adding funnels to make a better guarantee of the last remaining pills falling when we don’t have many pills left in the compartment.
Our schedule remains the same as a whole.
Additional Individual Team Update:
Part A written by Carolyn Alex:
Our smart pill box promotes public health, safety, and well-being by improving medication adherence for individuals with limited dexterity and cognitive decline, especially memory issues. Most existing pill organizers require opening small containers, which is difficult for users with shaky hands. Which is why our pill box will have push to open compartments, which is easier to do mechanically. Next, most products on the market to help keep track of dosages are apps that require a user to confirm doses in an app, which becomes unhelpful with incorrect logging. Our devices will confirm doses automatically when pills are physically removed using a weight sensor. Additionally, by dispensing medications automatically at set times, our product reduces the work needed by the user to ensure they are taking their medications on time, hence increasing the likelyhood if taking them even when the user is tired.
Overall, our product in reducing unintended and missed dosages. From a welfare perspective, the design supports independent living forthe elderly, especially those with memory and mobility limitations. By lowering burden and increasing reliability of routines, our product supports phisyocal well being and confidence in managing medications.
Part B written by Jahnvi Shah:
Our product is a smart pillbox designed to support aging-in-place for community dwelling older adults (65+). It helps by reducing the day-today dependence on others for medication management. By making the pill dosing more automatic and keeping the core workflow usable, the system allows users to maintain their independence and autonomy in their routines. This is especially important socially because it shifts it helps older adults handle their medicines on their own, instead of relying on a caregiver or a family member.
Our design also aims to reduce the stress and conflict in family and caregiver relationships. Taking medication often creates tension with repeated reminders that feel like nagging. Additionally, there is uncertainty about whether a dose was taken which can lead to misunderstandings or guilt. Our product has clear dose status like taken vs pending or missed which provides clarity and reduces the need for constant checking. This makes support feel less intrusive and more respectful. Further, the product is intended to be equitable across living situations. It works for older adults living alone or in multi-generational households or with rotating caregivers because the essential functions do not rely on someone being present. Lastly, as an added benefit, features like reminders and a simple streak can give user a bit of daily structure and motivation.
Part C Written by Jieun Lim:
The smart pillboxes that we have found online that have similar functionalities are priced on average around $150. As a note, this is also without all the features we plan on implementing. As a whole, in the current economy, this might be too high-priced for households who are reliant on healthcare, especially for the elderly. That’s why our design focuses first on laser cutting with cheaper but still durable acrylic as well as minimizing the number of microcontrollers. The biggest reasoning for removing the FPGA and replacing with the ESP32 is also due to the cost: an arduino ESP32 costs on average around twenty dollars while the FPGA which we wanted to use for the original design is over a hundred dollars. To make it more accessible during the production, there is necessity for using cheaper components that simply require extra logic.
There is also consideration for the distribution of this items: we wanted to make a more compact design than in previous iterations, keeping it close to the already available and smaller-sized counterparts while also incorporating it with greater functionality. This would allow for to be distributed at once, reducing transportation costs overall. Additionally, this would allow for more to be consumed/sold in stores on the shelves too, with again the lower price making it more affordable as a whole. Overall, we hope to have this device be the size of a portable coffee machine at most at half or more than half the cost. This would raise consumption as well as distribution to match the consumption levels.
