MediTrack: An Automated Medication Delivery Robot for Elderly and Visually Impaired Individuals

Abstract

Medication non-adherence among elderly and visually impaired individuals often leads to missed doses, incorrect intake, and adverse health outcomes. Conventional solutions, such as pill organisers and alarm reminders, are limited in their ability to ensure accurate and timely medication administration. This paper introduces MediTrack, an automated medicine-delivery robot designed to improve adherence, enhance patient safety, and reduce caregiver dependence. MediTrack uses an Arduino microcontroller to coordinate navigation, scheduling, and dispensing. Infrared sensors enable line-following navigation along predefined paths, while ultrasonic sensors provide real-time obstacle detection and avoidance. A Real-Time Clock module schedules medication delivery at set intervals. Upon arrival at the designated location, a servo motor dispenses the correct dosage, and a buzzer provides an audible alert. An LCD module displays real-time system status for improved usability and monitoring. Experimental validation in a controlled indoor environment assessed navigation accuracy, obstacle avoidance, timing precision, and dispensing reliability. Results show consistent, timely medication delivery with minimal error and effective handling of obstacles. The automated dispensing mechanism reduces the risk of incorrect dosages and missed medications. MediTrack addresses the limitations of manual and semi-automated solutions by offering a cost-effective, reliable, and user-friendly assistive technology. This system demonstrates the potential of embedded and robotic solutions to improve medication management and quality of life for individuals with disabilities.