Press Release

Meet YO2D2, a robot well trained in the delivery of excellent guest service. YOTEL Boston, the affordable luxury hotel brand inspired by first-class air travel, announces a new addition to their team, YO2D2. The Seaport hotel, which opened in June 2017, is already known for its use of technology which includes super-fast (and free) WiFi, self-check-in via mobile app, and a sleek ‘cabin’ design with adjustable SmartBeds ^TM and Technowall. Guests can now look forward to receiving amenities from and taking the odd selfie with YOTEL’s newest, friendly crew member, YO2D2.

YO2D2 is a Relay robot built by San Jose, California-based Savioke and customized for YOTEL Boston’s needs. The 36” tall robot is programmed to safely navigate crowded spaces, autonomously summon the elevator, dance or ‘shimmy’ to music and will greet guests with clever messages displayed on its touchscreen interface.

Photo by Ben Esakof

To call YO2D2, guests phone Mission Control about their request and YO2D2 will call the cabin to alert the guest of its arrival. The guest then retrieves their item from the storage compartment via the touchscreen and sends the robot on its way. No tip necessary but a simple ‘domo arigato, Mr. Roboto’ is always appreciated.

“YOTEL is a tech-forward, innovative hotel brand, so it’s no surprise their Boston property is the first in the city to deploy a robot,” Steve Cousins, founder and CEO of Savioke. “We look forward to seeing YO2D2 traveling the halls, delivering items, and mingling with guests at YOTEL Boston.”

YO2D2 joins a squad of YOTEL robots that also includes YOBOT, the luggage-storing robot at YOTEL New York, and Yoshi and Yolanda, YOTEL Singapore’s two new delivery robots.

Photo by Ben Esakof

Inspired by the luxury of first class travel and uncompromisingly designed around guests, YOTEL takes the essential elements of luxury hotels into smaller, smart spaces and deliver a sense of community with areas for co-working, social gatherings and exercise. Premium Cabins include YOTEL’s signature adjustable SmartBed^TM with rejuvenating monsoon rain showers and a Technowall with adjustable mood lighting and smart TVs, multi power points and easy connectivity.

YOTEL currently operates four airport hotels under the YOTELAIR brand in London, London Heathrow, Amsterdam Schiphol and Paris, Charles de Gaulle airports; and three city hotels in New York, Boston and Singapore. YOTEL is expanding rapidly with new hotels under development globally, including a YOTELAIR in Singapore Changi Airport and new city hotels in San Francisco, London Clerkenwell, Dubai, Edinburgh, Miami and Amsterdam. In January 2018 YOTEL announced the launch of a new brand, YOTELPAD with five deals in the USA, Europe and the Middle East.

YOTEL’s major shareholders include the Al-Bahar Group, Starwood Capital Group, United Investment Portugal and Kuwait Real Estate Company (AQARAT).

YOTEL was created by YO! founder Simon Woodroffe OBE, who inspired by first class travel, translated the language of luxury airline travel into a small but luxurious cabin.

Savioke develops and deploys autonomous robots that work in human environments to improve people’s lives. The company’s flagship product, Relay, is a beautifully simple yet sophisticated delivery robot that increases productivity, revenue and delight for people across a range of markets, industries and organizations. Abel to operate elevators, Relay is the fist indoor delivery robot that works autonomously alongside people in busy environments such as logistics, hotels, office buildings and high-rise apartments. Founded in 2013 by a team of leading robotics engineers, Savioke is backed by investors such as Intel Capital, EDBI, Northern Light Venture Capital, Morado Venture Partners, AME Cloud Ventures, and Google Ventures.