The purpose is, thus, twofold: to reduce the digital gap that separates older people from new technologies and to break the feeling of loneliness that sometimes accompanies this stage of life. Although some of her children live in the same town as Pilar and visit her almost daily, her grandchildren live in Barcelona and have found in Heralto a way to stay continuously connected, beyond calls. And it is the small gestures, a "good morning" or the improvised image of a grandchild on the way to work or on one of their trips around the world, that keep them connected despite the distance. "They are details that seem minor, but they make a difference," says Cabañeros.
Heralto works linked to Telegram: everything sent to the family group is automatically printed on paper. The photographs that can be printed are, in fact, one of the great attractions: receiving images of grandchildren or children and being able to see them physically, even if in black and white, has an incalculable emotional value. In addition, the device incorporates three physical buttons to respond: one green ("yes"), one red ("no"), and a third customizable one (gray). Some families have configured messages like "Call me" and, thus, with a single click, the message reaches all members directly on their mobile.
Upon seeing this new device, Pilar's reaction was immediate, and when she went for a walk around the town, she recommended Heralto to all her neighbors and acquaintances, who began to wonder if they could also get one. And so, the invention that had been born as a homemade solution, tailor-made for Pilar, began to acquire the potential of an unexpected business project.
The turning point came in September, when a video of Pilar explaining how the device works went viral on social media. From then on, requests came from all over Catalonia, especially during the Christmas campaign. Pilar was not an isolated case: many families shared the same need to maintain the bond without forcing older people to adapt to tools like mobile phones, designed primarily for new generations.
The model combines the sale of the device (49.90 euros) with a monthly subscription service: an essential plan of 9.90 euros —with a limit of 25 daily messages— and an unlimited one for 14.90 euros. Before, however, they offer a free trial month with a refundable deposit. "Introducing a new device into the home of an elderly person who is not used to technology can generate resistance; and for this reason, we prefer them to try it without pressure," explains Cabañeros. In fact, with feedback from early users, they have been incorporating new functionalities, such as medical or birthday reminders configured by the family. And, on the indicated day and time, the device prints the notice.
Its creators are now working to perfect the invention and eliminate one of the main barriers: the need for Wi-Fi at home for Heralto to work. The goal is to integrate a SIM card, like a mobile phone, so that the device functions autonomously. In addition, they are also studying expanding the response options, including the possibility of sending notes using one of the three buttons.
Despite the growth in recent months, the process remains almost artisanal, with the work of Cabañeros and Durall, who combine Heralto with their respective activities as engineers. Ricard is in charge of the operational part and customer service, while Àlex assembles the printers, manages stock, and prepares shipments. However, starting this year, they want to grow the invention to turn it into a large business project. "We have received interest from day centers, pharmacies, and even internet operators," says Cabañeros. "After validating that the product not only works but is also liked, the challenge now is to scale it," he assures. Thus, the two cousins and creators are studying the possibility of seeking external financing, with the aim of reaching new audiences, even beyond Catalonia. "With caution," Cabañeros warns, but "with ambition."
The objective is for Heralto to become a long-term project, evolving as technologies do: "The goal is to continue acting as a bridge against new forms of digital divide that may appear," explains Cabañeros. "Today the digital divide may be the mobile phone, but tomorrow it could be artificial intelligence: technology evolves quickly, and there are always groups that are left behind," he reflects, assuring that Heralto wants to be the tool that bridges these two realities.
Technology at the service of people
Cabañeros combines Heralto with his career at Biel Glasses, a Catalan startup that shares the same philosophy as Heralto: putting technology at the service of people. Founded in 2017 by Jaume Puig and Constanza Lucero, the project develops smart glasses equipped with several cameras and artificial intelligence systems that analyze the scene in real time, designed for people with low vision. When they detect an obstacle, they emit spatial sound warnings so that the person can anticipate and avoid it.
Unlike Heralto, the development of Biel Glasses has been long and demanding, with years of prototypes, user testing, and medical certification processes before reaching the market. At the end of 2025, they produced the first commercial units, and now they are working to optimize the design and expand functionalities.
The difference in approach is evident: Heralto opts for an immediate solution, while Biel Glasses represents deep and slow innovation. However, the common thread is the same. "Technology should not be a privilege or an obstacle," defends Cabañeros. Whether it's printing a family message or helping in the daily lives of people with low vision, the challenge is the same: for innovation to serve as a bridge to connect people, never as a barrier.