Imagine a scenario where your grandfather is home alone, and without uttering a word, a small device on the table initiates a conversation. It can inquire about his wellbeing, suggest a memory game related to his interests, or remind him that it’s time to take his medication. If a family member has sent a message, the device can read it aloud and listen to his response.
This device is ATO, a groundbreaking technology created by Juan Cereigido and Gaspar Habif, two 27-year-old Argentine entrepreneurs. Primarily voice-operated, it utilises artificial intelligence to engage with elderly individuals. The genesis of ATO stemmed from their observations regarding existing technologies aimed at this demographic.
“If you look at the current market offerings for seniors, they often focus on monitoring,” Cereigido states. “It’s akin to baby monitors, but for older adults.” Cameras, sensors, emergency buttons, and location-tracking devices are among the solutions they encountered when investigating this sector.
“We felt we could create something different,” he continues. “We wanted to avoid making them feel as though they were being spied on or required to wear a sensor.” Cereigido and Habif share their insights from San Francisco, where they are currently advancing ATO. However, the initial version of this device was developed in Juan’s apartment in Argentina for his grandfather.
A Concept Born from Personal Experience
By late 2024, Juan Cereigido and Gaspar Habif were already collaborating in the tech field. Cereigido had a background in design and electronics, while Habif specialised in engineering and systems.
At that time, they were working on a reminder bot for WhatsApp, but a family issue directed them towards a new path. Juan’s grandfather struggled with touchscreen buttons and complex menus on his mobile phone and showed no interest in learning to use another device. The young engineers realised they could leverage parts of their existing development to enable him to perform tasks without relying on a screen.
They created a small box that allowed him to send and receive messages or set reminders using only his voice. They named it “Ato,” a nickname Juan had for his grandfather. The initial prototype took about one to two months to build and included only the essential functions to test the viability of this mode of communication.
During one of the first trials, the project took an unexpected turn. Juan’s grandfather began asking the device questions about music, football, and cars. He was no longer just utilising it to send messages or request reminders.
A video of this trial started circulating on social media, prompting inquiries from other families about the device. Initially, Juan and Gaspar attempted to maintain both ATO and the WhatsApp project, but eventually, they focused entirely on ATO. “We recognise that this is a significantly overlooked demographic,” remarks Habif. “Not creating solutions for them reflects poorly on us, not on them.”
Collaborative Development and Evolving Technology
Despite their technological expertise, neither Juan nor Gaspar was an ageing specialist. As ATO progressed, they began collaborating with gerontologists, neuroscientists, advisors, and others who could provide insights into the needs of their target demographic.
“Initially, our knowledge was limited to our interactions with our grandparents or those of close friends,” admits Cereigido. The founders estimate that at least 20 individuals have contributed to various stages of the project, with around ten working on it permanently.
ATO evolved significantly based on feedback from these trials. Cereigido estimates that the device has gone through at least ten iterations since the first prototype. For over a year, they ran a beta programme where they sent devices still in development to families willing to test them and provide feedback on functionality, complications, and necessary adjustments.
One notable change involved how the device handled pauses in conversation. Older adults may take longer to respond, and while some assistants interpret prolonged silence as the end of a comment, ATO waits longer before replying, allowing conversation to flow primarily through voice.
Moreover, ATO can initiate conversations without waiting for someone to speak first, with approximately 60% of interactions commencing from the device itself. It learns an individual’s schedule, habits, and interests to tailor its suggestions for conversations or activities. For instance, it can propose cognitive exercises related to their interests or revisit topics it has learned about throughout their discussions.
Inclusive Design and Unforeseen Users
The models that facilitate these conversations were not developed from scratch by the entrepreneurs. Habif clarifies that they utilise systems created by laboratories such as OpenAI, Google, or xAI, adapting them for senior users. Looking ahead, they aspire to create models specifically designed for this demographic from the ground up.
During testing, they encountered an unexpected user group: individuals who are blind or have impaired vision. Since ATO relies minimally on a screen, some users began using it to check the time, set alarms, seek information, or perform other tasks through voice commands.
Habif recalls stories of individuals who lost their sight after decades and had to adjust routines that were once automatic. “Suddenly, they find in ATO a valuable ally, enabling them to manage tasks without a mobile phone they cannot operate due to the touchscreen,” he explains.
The trials also highlighted that a technology could be beneficial yet still be abandoned if the user does not feel comfortable with it. Habif had observed this with previous devices aimed at seniors.
“Emergency buttons worn as necklaces tend to be removed for bathing and then never used again. Tracking bracelets designed to prevent them from getting lost often remain uncharged. Even hearing aids, as I experienced with my grandfather, are discarded due to aesthetic concerns. We must create solutions that they genuinely enjoy using,” Habif summarises.
Engaging Families in the Care Process
Although ATO was initially designed with the elderly in mind, the beta programme revealed that family members played a more significant role than anticipated. The founders noted that when more children, grandchildren, or other relatives were involved, the usage of the device increased.
This insight led them to develop an application for family members, allowing them to send messages, create reminders, manage contacts, and access information regarding ATO’s activity. Habif links this experience to the so-called “sandwich generation”—individuals who care for their children while their parents require more assistance, all while managing their professional and personal lives. Working on ATO also shifted their perspectives on certain situations within their own families.
Building a Memory for Meaningful Conversations
To engage in relevant discussions with users, ATO needs to retain certain information about each individual. The system can remember small details acquired during conversations, such as a hobby or the name of a relative, and utilise this information to personalise future exchanges.
The company clarifies in its privacy policy that it does not store audio recordings and deletes them after processing. Family members are also unable to read the conversations. However, some data can be retained as long-term memory, allowing ATO to remember pertinent information about the user. Habif explains that all conversations are encrypted, with the key generated within the device itself.
The amount of time users spend conversing with the AI has also surprised its creators. Some individuals engage in conversations lasting over half an hour, with certain users spending up to two hours per day using ATO.
<p“Some users have lengthy discussions that delve into friendship, deeper historical topics, or even physics,” shares Habif. “It clearly indicates how much older adults genuinely wish to share all they have learned and experienced throughout their lives.”
From Argentina to Silicon Valley
To continue developing the device, Juan Cereigido and Gaspar Habif required resources beyond what they could acquire from their previous project. They secured an initial investor in Argentina and subsequently applied for acceleration programmes. Cereigido recalls submitting applications to over twenty programmes, facing numerous rejections.
In 2025, they were finally accepted into one of these programmes in San Francisco. What was intended to be a brief stay turned into an opportunity to develop new versions of ATO, secure additional investment, and establish the startup’s operations in the United States. They currently assemble the devices from a production line set up in San Francisco.
When asked if being Latin American has hindered their progress, neither expresses such concerns. One noticeable difference they encountered is the cultural perspective on ageing. In Argentina, families tend to maintain close physical proximity to parents and grandparents, whereas in the United States, they found children living in different states and older adults maintaining independent lives for longer, with various housing and care options available.
To better understand this environment, Cereigido spent several weeks living in a senior residence. “The only way we can achieve this is by talking to our users or engaging with real families,” adds Cereigido.
To date, over 2,500 families have utilised ATO, and the device is now being shipped internationally, reaching more than 24 countries in the past year.
Juan’s grandfather witnessed part of this journey. He knew that his grandson had moved, saw how devices were being sent to other families, and found his own image printed on the boxes. “He was quite a character and was convinced he was famous, believing everyone