Rachael Stevenson

University of Nottingham > Engineering > Departments > Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering > PDM Exhibitions > 2025 > BEng students > Rachael Stevenson

For my major project, I designed PillPal, an automated pill dispenser specifically developed for children.

Hi, I’m Rachael, a third-year Product Design and Manufacture student at the University of Nottingham.

I originally began my degree in Psychology, but after completing my first year, I realised I was more suited to a subject with a stronger focus on maths and technical problem solving. Growing up with an engineer in the family, I’d always been aware of engineering as a career path, and that background encouraged me to explore related courses.

While I initially considered Mechanical Engineering, I eventually chose Product Design and Manufacture because it offered the perfect blend of technical content, like maths, physics, and engineering principles, with creative aspects such as sketching, CAD, and user-focused design. It’s a course that challenges me in a variety of ways, and despite the occasional deadline pressure, I’ve never regretted the decision to switch.

My favourite aspects of the course are those that involve problem solving, especially when tackling complex challenges in design projects. I also really enjoy using KeyShot to create photorealistic renders, as it’s a satisfying way to bring concepts to life visually.

Looking ahead, I’m open to a range of career paths. However, I’m particularly interested in roles that centre on problem solving within product design or manufacturing, whether that’s optimising how products are made or improving how they function for users.

Rachael Stevenson, BEng Product Design and Manufacture

PillPal Pill Dispenser

For my major project, I designed PillPal, an automated pill dispenser specifically developed for children. The device is intended for use in environments away from home, such as schools or holiday camps, where children require daily medication. PillPal aims to simplify and streamline the process of transporting, storing, and administering medication, making it more manageable for both children and their carers.

The inspiration for this product came from my time working at holiday camps, where I supported children with special educational needs and disabilities. Many of these children required routine medication, and I observed that managing multiple medications in a busy, high-energy environment placed considerable pressure on staff. PillPal was developed to help ease this burden and ensure safe, consistent medication administration.

The device operates through a touch screen interface, where the user inputs the number of days, the required doses per day, and their specific timing. At each scheduled time, an internal stepper motor rotates a storage carousel to position the correct dose over the dispensing area. A trapdoor mechanism, activated by a lever, then releases the medication into a removable pill collection cup for easy access.

Additional features include a 360-degree contact charging base, allowing for easy recharging from any orientation. The system also includes a companion alert tag for the primary carer, which uses sound, vibration, and LED indicators to notify them when it is time for medication, ensuring that no doses are missed.

The product is made from injection-moulded materials including polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polycarbonate (PC), and liquid silicone rubber (LSR), allowing for a variety of textures and finishes. It is designed for easy disassembly, supporting a longer product lifespan through simple repairs and enabling more efficient recycling at the end of its life.