A wind of modernity is blowing through Havana. A restaurant has decided to focus on high technology. At Doña Alicia, it is now a robot that brings you your dish to the table.
It all starts with a digital menu command, with the help of the Alexa voice assistant, then the robot turns on and ensures delivery. The Doña Alicia restaurant, open for seven years, introduced technology in stages: tablets, voice assistants, then today, robotization. An approach which coincides with the rise of the Internet on the island.
The internet has only been available on mobile since 2018, but is now accessible to more than 70% of Cubans. In Cuba, this type of service remains an exception, and a bold bet. The manager, Yadiel Hernández, accepts his choice: This allowed us to reach other types of customers and surprise them because it's something new.
Frequent power outages and lack of technicians or spare parts make this type of automation particularly difficult to maintain in Cuba.
