Pilly

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  Prototype

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  Mascot

Inspiration

As healthcare technology continues to evolve, we noticed a concerning gap: many vulnerable individuals are being left behind. From elderly adults to children and people with special needs, such as those who are deaf or blind, managing daily medications can be confusing, overwhelming, and even dangerous when doses are missed or repeated. While digital health tools exist, they often assume a level of tech-savviness or accessibility that many users simply do not have.

Our team was inspired to build Pilly, reimagining how individuals interact with medicine. Pilly is a smart pill dispenser designed with inclusivity and simplicity in mind. Whether it’s a senior trying to maintain independence, a child with a caregiver, or someone with sensory impairments, Pilly is built to make medication management intuitive and reassuring for all. By keeping accessibility at the forefront, we aim to create a solution that supports all individuals.

What We Learned

Through user research and persona building, we learned that clarity, physical cues, and trust are critical for this demographic. We explored how to bridge physical and digital systems in a way that complements rather than complicates their daily lives. We also deepened our understanding of human-centered design, especially for users with low tech comfort levels. We found that language and interaction design need to be intuitive and empathetic. Pilly is built to guide users through any questions or medication-related actions with clear, step-by-step assistance.

Pilly the mascot:
Pilly is designed with simplicity, the only thing that is complex about Pilly is its expression. We realize the universal language for humans are through facial expression, We want to express our delivery regarding messages, notifications, warnings, through Pilly's expressions! As we mentioned the importance of trust in our demographic, the opportunity to talk and interact with a being, in this case Pilly, we are hoping to build a bond between the machine and the user through interactions with Pilly.

Text, Font, and Color:
We use simple and readable language, paired with clear visual cues like check marks and crosses to indicate success or errors. Large text sizes improve readability for elderly users, and a high-contrast black-and-white theme ensures accessibility for individuals with visual impairments, including color blindness.

Voice Activation:
Pilly's interface is designed with voice-first interaction in mind. Users can operate the device entirely through spoken commands, enhancing accessibility for those with limited mobility or vision. For users who prefer or require manual control, a touchscreen interface is also available, ensuring inclusivity for a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities.

How We Built It

We created a functional prototype that pairs a pill dispenser with an optional connected mobile app.
The device uses NFC or barcode scanning to identify medications.
It displays easy-to-read messages and dispenses the correct dosage at scheduled times.
The app, which can be used by the user or a caregiver, scans new pills to add, tracks remaining pills, provides reminders, and flags low supply alerts.
The system can also connect to smart devices like Apple Watch for vital sign tracking and additional notifications.

Challenges We Faced

Designing for accessibility without overloading the user interface or adding unnecessary complexity was a key challenge. We had to carefully balance visual clarity, simplicity, and functional flexibility to accommodate users with varying levels of tech fluency, vision, and mobility. We needed the system to function independently from a smartphone while still allowing optional app connectivity for caregivers. Creating a seamless experience across both hardware and software interfaces required us to maintain consistency in visual language and feedback design. We also focused on empathy-centered design. This meant using calming colors, readable text, and clear confirmation cues to reassure users throughout the process. Ensuring the system gave users a sense of control and trust was essential in encouraging continued use and building confidence in their daily routine.

Built With

• figma