When Innovation Meets Opportunity: YOTEL and Miami Tech Works

YOTEL faced unexpected challenges with its robotic concierge from the very beginning. From the moment the hotel opened its doors, only one robot was operational and within just a few weeks, it failed.

What initially seemed like a minor technical issue quickly became a branding concern. YOTEL found itself in the uncomfortable position of being one of the only locations within the brand without a functioning hotel robot, an innovation central to the guest experience they promised. Determined to protect their reputation, the team exhausted every option, reaching out repeatedly to the company responsible for the robot.

That’s when they discovered the worst-case scenario: the robotics company had gone out of business.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to find a replacement partner capable of resolving the issue, help finally arrived from an unexpected but powerful source, Miami Tech Works. Rising to the challenge, the organization stepped in with a creative and forward-thinking solution.

Thanks to the outstanding leadership and dedication of Terri-Ann, a partnership was formed that allowed talented tech students to take on the task of repairing the robot. The collaboration not only brought the robot back to life, but also created a meaningful bridge between companies and the next generation of technology professionals.

This partnership proved that when innovation meets opportunity, everyone wins:  businesses regain momentum, and students gain real-world experience that helps shape the future of tech.

Special thanks go to John Adell, who set up the initial meeting; Sandy Mujica, who drove the robot to Miami Dade College; Joseph Lafleur, who approved the repair; Philip Colodetti, for his guidance as Instructor of Technology; and Benjamin Caban, Director of Sales. We look forward to seeing the students’ work and can’t wait to celebrate their success.