Sip & Pill

Your Daily Dose, Simplified.

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Inspiration

Elderly individuals often struggle to remember to take their medications on time or may accidentally take the wrong ones, especially when pills look similar. With many adult children moving out and being occupied with their own families, seniors can feel isolated and disconnected from their loved ones.

Our solution aims to help the elderly manage their medications independently, ensuring they take the right pills at the right time without relying solely on caregivers. At the same time, it strengthens family connections by providing real-time updates and peace of mind, so both seniors and their families can feel supported and reassured.

What it does

The smart pill dispenser stores and organizes all prescribed medications in one device. At the scheduled time, it automatically dispenses the exact pill required, eliminating confusion and mistakes. Alongside it, the smart water dispenser prepares a stable, easy-to-hold cup. Motion sensors detect when the cup is lifted, while load and water-level sensors confirm that the user has actually taken a drink. If the system senses no action, an LED light or voice reminder prompts the user: “Please take your pill with water.” The cup is specially designed with grooves for a steady grip, making it safe for seniors with tremors or arthritis. This integrated system ensures every dose is taken correctly, on time, and with water, protecting health and giving peace of mind to both seniors and caregivers.

The system is connected to a companion app that tracks every dose in real time. Caregivers and family members receive instant updates whenever medication is taken or missed, ensuring constant peace of mind. The app also sends refill alerts when supplies run low, provides daily or weekly health reports, and supports multi-language reminders for elderly users. This seamless integration between the dispenser and the app guarantees that seniors stay on track, while families and doctors can monitor their well-being anytime, anywhere.

How we built it

We built the entire solution from scratch, starting with the hardware design. The outer casing was created through 3D modeling to ensure durability and a compact form, while the transparent shield was custom-made using precision laser cutting for clear visibility of the pills. On the software side, we designed the companion app completely from the ground up using Figma, focusing on an intuitive interface that supports reminders, refill alerts, and caregiver updates. By combining original hardware prototyping with a fully self-designed app, we created an integrated solution that is practical, user-friendly, and tailored to the needs of seniors and their families.

Challenges we ran into

Throughout the design process, we encountered several challenges that tested both our creativity and adaptability. Since we created a mock-up rather than a full working prototype, one of our biggest challenges was translating our ideas into a realistic design. We had to carefully consider how to fit all the components into a compact casing while still making it user-friendly. Another challenge was visualizing the transparent shield with laser cutting, ensuring it looked professional and functional in the mock-up. Our 3D print also failed at the last minute, so we had to quickly modify the design, testing our adaptability under time pressure. For the app, designing on Figma meant we had to think deeply about user experience, especially for elderly users who may not be tech-savvy, while also including advanced features for caregivers. These challenges pushed us to refine our concept and create a mock-up that clearly demonstrates how the final solution could work in reality.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are especially proud of designing the product using CAD software, even though none of us had prior experience. Learning from scratch, we worked through multiple iterations to create a realistic and functional mock-up of the dispenser and its components. Throughout the project, we tackled challenges in both hardware and app design, collaborating closely to develop a complete concept from the initial idea to a polished visual representation. This experience not only strengthened our technical skills but also demonstrated our ability to learn quickly, solve problems creatively, and bring a complex product idea to life.

What we learned

We learned to turn an idea into a realistic mock-up using CAD and Figma, even without prior experience. We gained technical skills, strengthened teamwork, and learned to design with the user’s needs in mind, overcoming challenges along the way.

What's next for Sip & Pill

Our next steps involve refining the device and app based on user feedback from seniors and caregivers to ensure usability and effectiveness. We plan to expand local pharmacy integration, explore additional habit-forming features like personalized voice prompts, and pilot the solution in community centers or senior care programs. Ultimately, we aim to scale the system across Singapore, supporting more older adults to manage their health independently and giving families peace of mind.

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