A health-tech solution designed to build lasting habits
Hello Heart was looking to explore a smarter, more human approach to supporting daily medication routines. Together, we explored behaviors, validated demand, and created a solution that seamlessly blends physical and digital design in the form of a smart pill box. The result is an intuitive, habit-forming product that turns taking medication into an intuitive part of everyday life – empowering people to care for their health, one pill at a time.
The insights shaped a smart pill box that meets real needs, empowering users to stay on track with their health
Designing a habit, not just a product
Hello Heart came to us with a hypothesis: a smart pillbox would support people with chronic heart health conditions to take medication more consistently.
For people aged 65+ on hypertension or heart-related medication, missed doses significantly reduce efficacy – making adherence a critical issue with real health consequences.
The challenge was not only technical, but behavioral: understanding existing pill-taking behaviors, how people already used the Hello Heart app and blood pressure monitor, and whether a connected pillbox would truly add value. We needed to uncover everyday routines and frictions to inspire meaningful product scenarios rooted in real life.
50%
of adults struggle with medication adherence, often due to chronic conditions, complex prescriptions, and dosing errors
10%
of hospitalizations may be a result of medication nonadherence
Building fast, testing early
Deep user insight shaped every design decision
Our design journey for Hello Heart was guided by in-depth user research, careful mapping of medication routines, and intuitive interaction design.
We combined behavioral research with rapid prototyping and early validation to pressure-test the hypothesis. Initial interviews explored current pill management habits, use of existing Hello Heart tools, and sentiment around smart pillboxes.
In a second round, our designers and engineers worked closely to build a realistic 3D-printed prototype, which was key to enabling a month-long usability trial – allowing real-world testing while development continued in parallel. The prototypes revealed practical challenges, such as grip and dexterity, and further refined the product's function and design.
Glowing indicators serve as reminders for when it's time to take medication
A validated concept shaped by deep insights and thoughtful design
Bridging digital and physical
By mapping real medication routines and testing in context, we helped Hello Heart validate both need and usability. The result is a thoughtful, intuitive solution that fits naturally into daily life and supports long-term adherence, with pilot results confirming its potential to drive healthier habits.
The project directly informed the launch of the Hello Heart Smart Pill Box: a smart, bluetooth-enabled pill box allowing users to stay on top of their medications with automatic reminders, glowing indicators, and seamless syncing to the Hello Heart app.
86%
of pilot users are actively using PillPal, exceeding the KPI target of 60%
80%
of pilot users visited the new app’s Medications tab
100%
of pilot users reported that PillPal helps them stay consistent with taking their medication
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