Vision-Based Pill Dispensing Robot

Abstract

As society ages progressively, the number of elderly individuals living alone is on the rise. With age, the amount of medication one needs to take increases, and due to memory decline, some elderly individuals might struggle to take their medication on time. To address this, our team has developed a robot that dispenses pills at designated times. The robot is equipped with a camera that can recognize QR codes provided by pharmacies, which automatically inputs the medication schedule. According to this schedule, the pill dispensing robot alerts the elderly when it's time for their medication and dispenses the required pills. This system enables elderly individuals to take their medication on time without the need for assistance from others.

Hardware Design

The hardware component is comprised of three integral elements: the pill storage, the perception & controlling module, and the pill dispenser. These elements work in synergy to ensure accurate and timely medication dispensing. Initially, the perception module captures the dosage schedule information via the camera. Following this, the control module interprets this information and directs the dispenser to align with the schedule, accurately extracting the specified number of pills from the pill storage as per the dosage instructions. Through this collaborative operation, the system ensures that the correct dose of medication is dispensed at the designated times.

Pill Storage

Given the likelihood that prescriptions may comprise various types of pills, it's imperative that pills are stored separately based on their types. To facilitate this, partition walls are integrated within the storage compartment. Additionally, by adapting the lateral storage shape to match the typical shape of a pill, the pills are stacked individually, one atop the other. This design not only aids in organized storage but also enables the dispenser to accurately dispense pills in accordance with the prescribed dosage volume. Through such thoughtful design, the system ensures that the correct type and amount of medication are dispensed as per the schedule, promoting adherence to medication regimens among the elderly. 

In order to ensure a secure attachment of the pill storage to the dispenser, we incorporated a locking mechanism to the storage unit. This prevents any horizontal movement of the storage when fixed to the dispenser, ensuring a stable connection. Additionally, for more convenient handling and accessibility, a vertical handle has been added to the storage unit. This enhancement not only aids in the easy maneuvering of the storage unit but also contributes to a user-friendly experience, facilitating easier maintenance and refilling of the pill storage. 

Software Design

The perception and control module is comprised of one Raspberry Pi and two Arduino Uno boards. Initially, the Raspberry Pi processes visual information captured by the camera, verifies the QR data, and checks the current time. Following this, it transmits the prescription settings to the Arduino Uno boards. These boards take charge of managing the servo motor, LCD display, LED lighting, and the buzzer.

When it's time for a scheduled dose, the buzzer sounds an alarm, and the dose information is displayed on the LCD screen. In the event that the pill storage is running low, the LED lights up as an indicator that the pills are out of stock. This multi-faceted control system ensures accurate pill dispensing, timely alerts for medication schedules, and provides clear indicators for refilling the pill storage, thereby promoting a seamless operation of the pill dispensing system.