Robot Assistant Dispenses Meds, and More

Last week, Pillo Health announced a collaboration with Stanley Black & Decker to assist elderly people and their caregivers. The companies’ Pria “personal medication assistant” (or, alternatively, “smart healthcare companion”) can dispense a week’s worth of pills on a prearranged schedule and also provides alerts, two-way video calling capability, and real-time monitoring via a mobile app. The somewhat anthropomorphic device uses facial recognition technology to maintain security.

Pillo Health recently received initial funding from Samsung Ventures and Stanley Black & Decker’s corporate affiliate and is targeting a market of more than 40 million U.S. adults who act as caregivers for elderly relatives. Pria’s cost, normally $750 including a one-year subscription (and $10 per month thereafter), is currently being discounted as the companies experiment with marketing options.

Although Stanley Black & Decker is perhaps best known as a manufacturer of hand and power tools, the company’s Stanley Healthcare division sells various types of monitors and other devices for senior living communities and caregivers.