Vladimir is a 2020 Grand Prix winner of Samsung Innovation Campus in Russia. He is also the winner of a VR app development contest conducted in 2017 and 2018, and took second place in Social Applications nomination at Samsung's mobile app contest in Russia.

As a returning alumnus, Vladimir’s software knowledge elevated throughout the years with Samsung, ultimately inspiring him to develop an automatic pill dispenser, AutoPill. AutoPill is based on a simple idea - dispensing one's medicine on a personal schedule. The schedule can be configured using any device that has access to a home network.

How did you become interested in the Internet of Things (IoT)?

“I've been engaged in mobile development for many years. One of the topics that has been on my mind was the IoT like smart home technologies. I have been curious about how IoT solutions were made, so I entered the IoT course of Samsung Innovation Campus.”

What inspired you to develop an automatic pill dispenser?

“Two things: taking on the challenge and creating a solution. I wanted to create a device that would be complex in terms of programming, while also contributing to solving a real-life problem. Implementing technologies that cater to real consumers was key when developing the device. I surveyed potential users to learn what they expect from the dispenser. After many trials and errors, starting with the first prototype made of a plate glued with a roll of tape to a 3D-printed laconic pill box, AutoPill came to life.”

What did you learn as a participant of Samsung Innovation Campus?

“It was such an enriching experience, being able to observe and understand technology from a variety of perspectives and successfully creating a complex device that turned out to be in huge demand. Almost everyone asks me about AutoPill these days.”

What are your next steps?

“AutoPill will be upgraded to be integrated into the SmartThings system. This will allow the user to duplicate all offline functions on the hub or in the cloud, while the device itself will be able to use energy more efficiently. After integration, AutoPill will be able to send a signal using wearable devices and smart speakers to notify the user about certain events.”

Already a promising IoT developer of the future, Vladimir is teaching students that aspire to be like him at Samsung Innovation Campus. We hope that the experience Vladimir has shared with Samsung will continue to push him towards a greater journey as an IoT specialist.