Smart Medication Management System (Swallow)

An Arduino-based medication assistant connecting reminders, pill dispensing, storage monitoring, and cup-detection features

Project Overview

Swallow is a smart medication-management prototype designed to help users take the correct dose at the scheduled time. Beyond a phone reminder, the system connects pill dispensing, storage-condition monitoring, and cup detection in a single Arduino-based device.

The project was developed by a three-person team for Pusan National University’s Adventure Design course in 2022. Its goal was to build a working system that integrated sensor input, motor and LED control, serial communication, and a mobile user interface.

The Swallow prototype combines the pill dispenser, cup-detection area, sensors, and control boards in one enclosure.

Key Features

  • Medication reminders: Users select a medication time in the MIT App Inventor application, which displays a notification when it matches the phone’s current time.
  • Single-dose dispensing: Each button press rotates a stepper motor by a fixed angle to release one pill at a time.
  • Storage-condition monitoring: A DHT11 sensor measures temperature and humidity inside the device, while an HC-06 Bluetooth module sends the readings to the mobile application.
  • On-device clock: A DS1302 RTC module supplies the current time for display on a text LCD.
  • Cup detection: When an ultrasonic sensor detects a cup within 10 cm, the Arduino activates the UV-A LED module.

Architecture and Workflow

MIT App Inventor ↔ HC-06 Bluetooth ↔ Arduino ↔ DHT11 Sensor

The application uses a Time Picker to save the medication schedule and periodically compares it with the current time. Once connected over Bluetooth, it receives temperature and humidity strings from the Arduino and updates the on-screen values. On the hardware side, the Arduino handles button-driven stepper-motor control and switches the UV-A LEDs according to the ultrasonic distance reading. The RTC and LCD continue to display the current time independently of the phone.

Together, these components form an end-to-end flow from a mobile reminder to environmental monitoring and physical pill dispensing.

Results and Takeaways

The project combined digital and analog I/O, motor control, sensor-triggered logic, RTC time handling, and Bluetooth serial communication in one physical prototype. Building the App Inventor interface also provided hands-on experience designing the data flow between embedded hardware and a mobile application.

Possible extensions include medication-intake history, caregiver notifications, and integration with healthcare platforms. The UV-A feature was a course-project demonstration of sensor and light control; the prototype was not tested or certified as a medical sterilization device.

Tech Stack

Arduino Mega 2560 / Uno · C/C++ · MIT App Inventor · HC-06 Bluetooth · DHT11 · DS1302 RTC · Text LCD · Stepper Motor · Ultrasonic Sensor · UV-A LED