Ato Unveils a Radio-Style Voice Assistant Designed for Older Adults
Developed with design firm Boostep, the screen-free tabletop console replaces mobile app menus with physical knobs and proactive voice dialogue.
By Letizia Giugliano
1 min readHuman-Edited, AI-Assisted
Consumer technology startup Ato and industrial design studio Boostep have developed a tabletop artificial intelligence console created specifically for older adults who find mobile displays difficult to navigate. Styled like a retro domestic radio, the screen-free system relies on physical controls and spoken interactions to deliver family messages, reminders, and daily conversation.
Tactile hardware over glass screens
Rather than presenting complex app menus, the artificial intelligence device adopts a tactile layout designed by startup Boostep for Ato, as reported by Yanko Design. Standing approximately 5.5 inches tall, the cream-colored housing features a woven front panel, a bright orange push button to activate speech, and a side-mounted volume knob bordered by small dimples. The unit does not include an internal battery, requiring an electrical outlet via USB-C and an active Wi-Fi connection to operate.
Family coordination and conversational privacy
Family members interface with the device through a mobile smartphone app to schedule reminders and send voice notes, sparing the user from managing digital notifications directly. The tabletop unit also conducts proactive daily check-ins, streams radio, and provides spoken information. According to Yanko Design, Ato stores selected personal facts to provide context during ongoing chats, but it does not retain raw audio recordings or share conversation transcripts with family members.
Prototype development, pricing, and rollout
The hardware invention has moved through physical prototype testing ahead of mass manufacturing. Ato clarifies that the console is not a certified medical device and cannot place emergency calls. Pre-orders are priced at $179 plus shipping, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for February 2027. While basic messaging, reminders, and radio playback remain free, access to unlimited conversational dialogue requires an optional subscription priced at $249 annually.
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