Nikhil Lemos, a 16-year-old from Vadodara, has made waves in the world of healthcare innovation with his development of a mini-robot called Meditel, designed to help people take their medications on time. Meditel isn’t just any reminder device; it’s equipped with a comprehensive system that includes an alarm for timely reminders, a reusable water bottle for added convenience, and a thoughtfully designed pill organiser that can accommodate a variety of medication schedules. Lemos’ innovation has proven to be life-changing for those who struggle with remembering their medication, particularly elderly individuals, which was his primary inspiration.
Lemos’ journey into healthcare robotics began when he witnessed the daily struggles faced by his own grandparents. His 83-year-old grandfather, Tyrone Patrick Lemos, is battling serious health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer. His 72-year-old grandmother, Ivy Coutinho, also suffers from high blood pressure and diabetes. Both of them need to follow a strict regimen of medication to manage their health conditions, and this often requires constant reminders. The sight of his grandparents often forgetting to take their medications spurred Lemos into action. What began as a simple idea to create an alarm system for reminders quickly evolved into a much more sophisticated invention.
Lemos designed Meditel from scratch, teaching himself how to use Arduino, a platform that allows users to create interactive electronic objects. As he developed the robot, Lemos refined his coding skills and added features that would make the device more user-friendly. His initial idea grew into an award-winning project that has gained recognition both nationally and internationally.
In 2023, Meditel won the prestigious INSPIRE Award at a national science fair organised by the Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST). This accomplishment opened up several new opportunities for Lemos, including his selection as a panellist at the World Children’s Day conference in New Delhi, where he was able to showcase his work and discuss the importance of innovation in healthcare.
Lemos also participated in the World STEM & Robotics Olympiad (WSRO), where he secured second place in the young scientist category. He won a cash prize of Rs 8,000 and will advance to the national round of the competition, where he will compete with other bright young minds from across India. Lemos is also recognised as one of the 50 innovators at the National Children’s Innovation Challenge, organised in collaboration with UNICEF. He considers his recognition as a great milestone in his journey so far.
However, Lemos is not content to stop here. He is now working on integrating algorithms into Meditel that will allow the device to predict health data based on medication habits. His vision is to use these insights to anticipate future health scenarios, enabling people to better manage their conditions. This forward-thinking approach reflects his deeper ambition—to start a company focused on processing healthcare data to predict future health trends and improve global health outcomes.
One of Lemos’ proudest moments came when former football star David Beckham took an interest in his work during the UNICEF event. His innovation, though initially inspired by his grandparents, has the potential to benefit millions of people worldwide, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses who require regular medication. With the guidance of his mentor and robotics coach, Mukesh Bind, and his continued dedication to innovation, Lemos is determined to make a lasting impact in the healthcare sector. Currently a student of Class 11 at Navrachana Higher Secondary School, Vadodara, Lemos has a bright future ahead of him. His determination, combined with his technical skills and innovative mindset, has already earned him a place among India’s young trailblazers.
