Smart Pill Dispenser Hack: A Simple Solution for Medication Tracking

Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a quick hack I came up with to help my wife keep track of her medication. It’s a simple solution using a WYZE sensor and some 3D printing, and I thought it might be useful for others in the community.

The Problem:
My wife often asks me if I’ve taken my Metformin, and honestly, I don’t always remember. It’s easy to lose track, especially when you’re busy or forgetful. I wanted a way for her to know automatically whether I’ve taken my medication without having to ask every time.

The Solution:
I decided to take apart a WYZE sensor and attach the circuit board to a 3D-printed pop-top lid for a prescription bottle. The lid has a magnet that triggers the sensor when it’s opened. This setup sends a notification to her phone whenever the lid is opened, letting her know I’ve taken my medication.

How It Works:

  1. Hardware Setup: I used a WYZE sensor for its reliability and a simple magnet to trigger the sensor when the lid is opened. The 3D-printed lid was designed to fit our specific prescription bottle.
  2. 3D Printing: I created a custom lid with a built-in magnet to ensure it snaps shut securely. This was printed using a basic desktop 3D printer.
  3. Integration: The WYZE sensor was paired with our existing smart home system, which sends notifications to our phones via a simple automation rule.

Why This Works:

  • Passive Monitoring: My wife doesn’t have to ask me repeatedly—she gets a notification every time I open the bottle.
  • Non-Intrusive: It doesn’t require any changes to my routine; I just open the bottle as usual.
  • Cost-Effective: Using a WYZE sensor and a 3D-printed lid kept the project affordable and accessible.

Potential Improvements:

  • Adding a small LCD screen to display the date and time of the last dose.
  • Incorporating a voice notification system for reminders.

This project was a fun way to combine 3D printing with smart home technology to solve a real-life problem. I’d love to hear if anyone else has similar solutions or improvements they’d suggest!

Cheers,
Shady