Using a mobile is a real challenge for older people. An Aragonese startup has a promising solution

Is called Maximilianabut it is not a person. It is a mobile. Specifically, one specifically designed for our elders. The idea that this device raises is unique, already a difference from other mobiles for the elderly, everything is based on trying that these people have to touch anything to communicate with their loved ones both in video calls and normal calls and to alert possible emergencies.

Innovating from Aragon. Many business projects are born from personal needs. This happened for Jorge Terreu (Zaragoza, 26 years old), who a few years ago was Erasmus in France and had trouble contacting his grandmother, Maximiliana. This is how the germ of her project was created: create a phone to be able to talk to her without her having to do anything.

@Miguessal This mobile can save your grandfather’s life, because it makes video calls down alone. It was created by a grandson for his grandmother, Maximiliana, who did not manage with technology. What began as a gift, is today a mobile that thousands of people use. You can learn more about him at www.maximiliana.es. #Salvarvidas #Emercances #Primerosauxilios #Urgences #security ♬ Original sound – Miguel Assal

The principle of something big. Terreu prepared a mobile prototype in which he started the video call and the phone answered alone. He sent it to his grandmother in Madrid and soon realized that this idea could serve many more people. In March 2020, during the pandemic he donated five phones adapted to a hospital in Zaragoza and verified how users were delighted, so he launched the adventure of creating his own company and his project of a mobile for seniors. What would be called, of course, like his grandmother. Maximiliana.

They hardly have to touch it. People who use Maximilian mobiles hardly have to touch it, because they can receive video calls or messages without having to play in the interface. If a relative or friend makes a video call, Maximiliana sounds for a few seconds and automatically breaks. If it is the elderly the one who wants to call, the interface is especially intuitive and simple and is based on a “desk” on which the faces of the family appear. Just press one of them to make the call.

Emergencies. Maximiliana also has emergency call options. Thus, if for example the elderly falls and cannot handle the mobile with precision, it is enough that it agitates it a bit to activate the emergency call to the assigned contact. In those calls the mobile uses the flashlight to emit the international relief signal.

Always located. Another of the Maximiliana options It is what allows to know at all times the location of that elderly, something especially useful if they are lost or misplaced. The software also shows the battery available so that family members can warn that it loads it to continue using it without problems.

THE MOBILE AS SERVICE. Maximiliana includes the mobile, the control app for the family and the accessories, such as the cord or antiahogo strap that allows the device to be hung by the neck. The product is not sold as a mobile without more, but as part of a subscription service. The “basic pack” cited costs 24.90 euros per month, but it is also possible to directly hire the SIM card (unlimited calls, 25 GB of the Internet) as part of the “complete pack” for 29.90 euros per month.

Includes apps like WhatsApp. Maximilian mobiles remain mobile, and allow to continue accessing applications such as WhatsAppChamber or Gallery. The person in charge of the device – normally, a relative of the elderly – chooses from the control application which applications wants them to appear on the mobile.

It is the relative who acts as “administrator”. The relatives of the people who use Maximiliana are the ones in charge of managing and configuring the mobile options. Thus, they can add contact faces, change order (up to six on the screen), or adjust the sound duration.

A grandmother like Community Manager. As they pointed out In the countryMaximiliana’s team has been growing as the success of the service has been curdling, but there is a very special component in that template. Your Community Manager It is Conchita Polo, grandmother of Pedro Malo, partner of Terreu in the project.

More than the phone matters the service. There are currently good options when offering Mobile for seniors And also tips for Adapt any Android phone To make it easier to use for them, but Maximiliana’s proposal is interesting because everything combines. Take advantage of the idea of parental controls that for example allow to know the location of our children or control the limits of use, but adapting it to a population sector that can certainly take advantage of it in a beneficial way.

Image | Maximiliana

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