Inspiration
Counterfeit pills can look nearly identical to legitimate medication, which makes visual identification unreliable. Existing solutions are often expensive, slow, limited to detecting one substance, or inaccessible to the people who need them most. We created MedMatch to explore a faster and more accessible way to screen pills before use.
What It Does
MedMatch is a spectroscopy-based pill identification prototype. It scans a pill, collects spectral data, and compares the reading with verified reference profiles stored in a database. Then, the system then determines whether the pill’s scan closely matches the expected profile or shows differences that may require further verification.
MedMatch is designed as an early-warning screening tool and not as a replacement for pharmacists, laboratory testing, or professional medical advice.
Key Features Captures spectral information from a scanned pill Compares scans with stored reference profiles Flags unusual or mismatched readings Provides quick, understandable results Combines physical scanning hardware with software-based analysis Can be expanded as more verified pill profiles are added
How We Built It
Additionally, we built MedMatch by combining a spectroscopy-based sensor system with a microcontroller and custom software. The hardware collects spectral readings from the pill under controlled conditions. The program processes the sensor data and compares it with reference readings stored in the system.
We used PlatformIO and C++ to develop and upload the hardware code. We also organized the project so that the reference database and comparison process can be expanded as additional pill samples are tested. The physical prototype was designed to keep the pill and sensor positioned consistently during each scan.
Challenges We Ran Into
One of our biggest challenges was obtaining consistent readings. Changes in lighting, pill position, distance from the sensor, coating, and surrounding conditions could affect the collected data. We had to improve the scanning setup and repeat tests to reduce variation.
Another challenge was building a reliable reference database. Medications can vary by manufacturer, dosage, color, and coating, so a single scan cannot represent every legitimate version of a pill. We also had to balance technical accuracy with creating a system that was understandable and practical for users.
Accomplishments That We’re Proud Of
We are proud that we created a working hardware-and-software prototype instead of only presenting an idea. MedMatch can collect real sensor data, process it, and compare it with stored reference information.
We are also proud that we approached the problem responsibly. Rather than claiming that MedMatch can guarantee whether a pill is safe, we designed it as a preliminary screening system that can identify suspicious differences and encourage further verification. The project demonstrates how accessible sensing technology could eventually support safer medication decisions.
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