Meditel: The Indian startup mini-robot revolutionising medication management

Vadodara: Nikhil Lemos, a talented 15-year-old from Vadodara, Gujarat, has made a significant contribution to healthcare technology with his innovative creation, the ‘Meditel’. Meditel is a mini-robot designed to assist users in remembering to take their medications on a timely basis. This creation is not only a testament to Nikhil’s ingenuity but also a potential game-changer for individuals who are struggling with medication adherence.

Nikhil’s inspiration for Meditel came from observing the challenges faced by people in adhering to their medication schedules. Whether due to busy lifestyles, aging, or forgetfulness, missing doses of medication is a common issue that can lead to serious health complications. Nikhil was particularly moved by the difficulties faced by his grandparents in managing their medications, which motivated him to find a solution.

Nikhil’s hard work and innovative spirit caught the attention of UNICEF, leading to an extraordinary opportunity. At a recent event organized by UNICEF, Nikhil presented Meditel to none other than football legend David Beckham. This platform not only highlighted Nikhil’s achievement but also brought global attention to his invention.

David Beckham, known for his support of numerous charitable causes, showed great interest in Meditel. He praised Nikhil’s ingenuity and dedication to solving a real-world problem. Beckham’s encouragement and recognition were a significant boost for the young inventor, potentially opening doors for further development and widespread adoption of Meditel.

How Meditel Works?

Meditel is a compact, user-friendly robot that can be placed in any home setting. It is designed with several key features to ensure users never miss their medication:

Medication Reminder: Meditel has a built-in reminder system that alerts users when it is time to take their medication. This can be in the form of audible alarms, visual cues, or even text messages sent to the user’s phone.
Dosage Tracking: The robot keeps track of the medication schedule, including the dosage and timing for each medication. This helps prevent double-dosing and ensures the user adheres to their prescribed regimen.
User-Friendly Interface: Meditel features an intuitive interface that can be easily operated by users of all ages. It can be programmed with simple voice commands or through a smartphone app.

Safety Features: Meditel is equipped with safety features such as locking compartments for medications to prevent accidental overdosing, especially important in households with children or pets.
Nikhil’s innovation has grown alongside him, evolving from a simple PowerPoint presentation to a paper model, then to a basic prototype, and finally to a fully functional electrical model. Last November, Nikhil even found himself explaining the intricacies of his invention to football legend David Beckham. The journey has been extraordinary, and in an interview with The Better India, Nikhil shares the details.

Nikhil realized that missing doses of medication is harmful to health, but he also discovered that medication non-adherence is a complex problem. Initially, he developed an alarm system to remind people to take their pills. However, he observed that his grandmother sometimes remembered her medication but didn’t have water handy, causing her to delay taking her pills. This led Nikhil to add a reusable water bottle to the device, attached with Velcro.

The next addition was a pill organizer to help people who needed to take multiple doses at specific times. Nikhil says users can set up to six daily alarms on Meditel to match their medication schedules, like before and after meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While sourcing parts and assembling the device was manageable, coding the alarm systems was challenging. This was the first model ever built from scratch. Nikhil became skilled with Arduino, an open-source coding board that controls the device’s functions.

Nikhil’s journey involved months of learning, refining his coding skills, and perfecting Meditel. He credits his parents for their support. His mentor, Mukesh Bind, shares how their journey began at the World Robot Olympiad in 2019, where Nikhil expressed his desire to create a device to help his grandfather with his medication. In 2021, Nikhil completed Meditel.

Meditel’s success is evident from the numerous awards it has won: second runner-up at the Jagran Josh Education Awards in the Robotics Category (April 2024), winner of the INSPIRE Awards (2023), one of 50 innovators at the National Children Innovation Challenge in partnership with UNICEF (2023), and a panelist at the World Children’s Day Conference in New Delhi (2023), among others.

However, the most memorable recognition for Nikhil was from UNICEF in November last year. Describing it as one of the top three moments of his life, Nikhil recalls how he presented his work to David Beckham, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Nikhil never planned this; he had applied to another competition hosted by the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC), which then forwarded his project to UNICEF.

In October 2023, Nikhil received a call from Sanyam Chhajed, the program manager at GUSEC, inviting him to an exhibition where he would present his work to dignitaries. On November 13, 2023, Nikhil was one of five students from India chosen to present to Beckham. GUSEC has been instrumental in Nikhil’s journey, offering immense support. Chhajed believes that Meditel has the potential to be a revolutionary product for the elderly due to its compact size and ease of use.

Funding is crucial for scaling Meditel, allowing Nikhil to refine the design, enhance technical features, and obtain necessary certifications and testing before launching it in the market. The team aims to patent and release Meditel quickly due to the increasing health issues among the elderly. Chhajed emphasizes that innovations like Meditel are new to the Indian market and need support to reach a larger audience.

Nikhil Lemos’s creation of Meditel is a shining example of how youthful innovation can address real-world problems. His dedication and success at such a young age are inspirational. The recognition from a global icon like David Beckham underscores the importance and potential impact of Nikhil’s work. As Meditel continues to develop, it promises to play a vital role in improving medication adherence and overall health outcomes for many.