Project Hub /Healthcare Biomedical & Assistive/Smart Pill Dispenser/Automatic Medicine Reminder Using Arduino

Intermediate

ARDUINO

₹1,500 – ₹5,000

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

Automatic Medicine Reminder Using Arduino

An Arduino-based automatic medicine reminder system using a DS3231 RTC module and an LCD display to alert patients at customizable daily intervals.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

Arduino UNO R3 Board (Compatible) – ATmega328P Microcontroller with USB Cable Rs. 999.00
Piezo Buzzer (Big) 6-12V Rs. 45.00
10pcs 5mm RED Diffused Light Emitting Diodes - LEDs Set Rs. 39.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
2-Slot 18650 Holder with Protective Cover and On/Off Switch – Case Rs. 109.00
10pcs - 220 ohm 1/4 W Resistor Set Rs. 39.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

This list includes a generic resistor set as a placeholder — it is not matched to the exact value or part number this circuit needs. The correct one is specified on the original source page linked above; check it before buying.

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
RTC Module DS3231 / DS1307
Potentiometer / Trimpot

Browse all components

How It Works

The Automatic Medicine Reminder system is orchestrated by an Arduino Uno, which acts as the central processing unit coordinating timekeeping, user interaction, and alert outputs. Time tracking is handled by the DS3231 Real-Time Clock (RTC) module, communicating with the Arduino via the I2C protocol to provide precise time and date data, backed by a battery to prevent time loss during power interruptions. Users interact with the device through push buttons connected to the digital pins, allowing them to configure and store custom medication schedules directly into the Arduino's non-volatile memory using the EEPROM library, ensuring settings persist even when powered down. A 16x2 LCD display, paired with a 10K potentiometer for contrast adjustment, visually presents the current time, system status, and scheduled medication alerts to the user. When the RTC matches the current time with a stored medication schedule, the Arduino triggers an auditory and visual notification system by activating a buzzer and turning on an LED. This multi-sensory alert ensures that the patient is effectively notified to take their prescribed medication at the correct daily intervals.

Why Build This

Develop practical biomedical and assistive technology solutions to help elderly patients and individuals with chronic illnesses adhere to strict medication schedules.

Gain hands-on engineering experience integrating real-time clock modules, persistent EEPROM storage, and human-interface peripherals into a cohesive microcontroller system.

Real-World Application

Assisting elderly patients, hospitals, or individuals with chronic illnesses to strictly adhere to their medication schedules and prevent missed doses.

Skills You'll Learn

I2C communication protocol

real-time clock integration

non-volatile data storage using EEPROM

LCD character display interfacing

digital input debouncing

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

ARDUINO

RTC DS3231

LCD DISPLAY

EEPROM

I2C

PUSH BUTTONS

BUZZER

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a DS3231 RTC module necessary if the Arduino Uno has an internal clock?

The Arduino Uno's internal clock lacks long-term accuracy and resets every time power is disconnected. The DS3231 RTC provides precise timekeeping backed by a coin cell battery to maintain the correct time continuously.

Will my custom medication schedules be erased if the device loses power?

No, the project utilizes the Arduino's internal EEPROM memory to save user-configured schedules, ensuring your settings are retained even if the device is unplugged or restarted.

What is the purpose of the 10K potentiometer connected to the LCD display?

The potentiometer acts as a voltage divider to manually adjust the contrast of the 16x2 LCD screen, ensuring the text is clearly legible under different lighting conditions.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-00067