Teen Innovator Creates ‘Meditel’ — A Mini-Robot to Help Grandparents Remember Their Medications

A 15-year-old from Vadodara, Gujarat, has captured national attention with his unique invention, 'Meditel' — a mini-robot designed to ensure people never forget to take their medications. Nikhil Lemos, a Class 11 student at Navrachana Higher Secondary School, developed the device to help his grandparents with their daily pill schedules. His journey from a simple doodle in a notebook to a full-fledged electronic model has been nothing short of inspiring.

Nikhil’s innovation has not only won accolades but also earned him the opportunity to present Meditel to UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and football legend David Beckham. The device combines several essential features: a pill organizer, a reusable water bottle attached with velcro, and an alarm system capable of setting up to six daily reminders for medication times, including pre- and post-meal doses.

An Idea Born from Compassion

The concept of Meditel started with a simple observation. Nikhil noticed how his grandparents occasionally forgot to take their medications. Initially, he sketched an idea for an alarm system on the last page of his notebook. Later, a science fair prompted him to revisit the concept. As he observed his grandmother’s challenges — such as the absence of water at pill time — he upgraded the design to include a water bottle and a pill organizer.

Building Meditel from Scratch

Creating Meditel was no small feat. Nikhil had to learn to code using Arduino, an open-source electronic platform that sends signals to control various parts of the device. Sourcing components, assembling them, and writing the software were challenging tasks, but Nikhil’s perseverance paid off. His mentor, Mukesh Bind, who met him during the World Robot Olympiad in 2019, guided him through the process. With support from his parents, Nikhil’s dedication grew stronger, and by 2021, the first version of Meditel was complete.

A Journey of Recognition and Accolades

Nikhil’s invention has earned him multiple accolades. In 2023, he became a winner at the INSPIRE Awards, a national-level science fair organized by India’s Department of Science and Technology. He was also recognized as one of 50 innovators at the National Children Innovation Challenge in partnership with UNICEF and became a panellist at the World Children’s Day Conference in New Delhi.

His proudest moment, however, came in November 2023 when he presented Meditel to David Beckham. This opportunity was made possible after the Gujarat University Startup and Entrepreneurship Council (GUSEC) submitted Nikhil’s project to UNICEF, and he was selected as one of five students from across India to showcase his work.

The Road Ahead for Meditel

With GUSEC’s backing, Nikhil is working to patent Meditel and bring it to market. The plan includes refining its design, making it more compact, and upgrading its technical features. Chhajed, the program manager at GUSEC, emphasizes that Meditel could be a revolutionary product for elderly people due to its ease of use and small size. He believes that with adequate funding, Nikhil’s device could be scaled for mass production.

Looking to the Future

Nikhil’s aspirations extend beyond Meditel. Inspired by a survey he conducted in February 2024, which revealed that people of all ages often forget to take their medications, he envisions Meditel as a device for all demographics, not just the elderly. His future plans include integrating predictive algorithms that monitor users' medication habits and forecast health scenarios, which could transform healthcare support systems.

Beyond Meditel, Nikhil is also the mind behind ‘Elder Allies’ — an initiative where he and his friends teach seniors the basics of technology. His goal is to use technology as an enabler to bridge generational gaps and make everyday life easier for older adults.

A Youthful Vision with a Global Impact

Nikhil’s journey is a testament to how a simple act of compassion can evolve into world-changing innovation. Despite moments of doubt, he draws strength from the global community of youth-led initiatives making a difference. “It’s comforting to know that you have a whole community of people who’ve done it before you and will continue to do it. And that gives me confidence,” he says.

Whether it’s his plans for a healthcare-focused startup or the continued development of Meditel, one thing is clear — Nikhil Lemos is a young innovator driven by empathy and fueled by a passion for change.