Portrait of Amber (Yunzhi) Qi

The Innovator’s Journey: From Corporate Innovation to Robotics Entrepreneurship

My professional journey has been guided by one enduring force: an unwavering passion for innovation that drives meaningful change. From the early days of navigating corporate innovation to the entrepreneurial leap into robotics, my career has always centered around identifying untapped potential and building solutions that challenge the status quo. Whether within the structure of a multinational company or the high-stakes environment of a startup, I’ve remained committed to creating technologies that matter.

From Corporate Innovation to Entrepreneurial Drive

My formative years at Michelin Group—a company renowned for its emphasis on R&D and innovation—shaped the way I think about technology and market disruption. As an Innovation Initiative Leader, I was exposed to a spectrum of emerging technologies, from smart materials to connected mobility solutions. More importantly, I learned that genuine innovation is not about chasing trends—it’s about having the courage to ask, “Why not?” and the discipline to translate that question into scalable, real-world applications.

I also felt a growing urge to move faster, test bolder ideas, and take on more ownership of the innovation process. That hunger eventually culminated in co-founding YOUIBOT Robotics—a venture born out of the belief that robotics can redefine the future of industrial automation, not just for global giants, but for small and mid-sized manufacturers around the world.

Pioneering Moments that Defined our Path

One of the earliest and most defining moments for YOUIBOT came during the COVID-19 crisis. At a time when the world was grappling with uncertainty, we rapidly designed and deployed the first EU/US-compliant autonomous disinfection robots, ensuring strict adherence to international safety and certification standards. These robots were quickly adopted across more than 20 countries, operating in hospitals, airports, and public facilities where human presence was risky. The sense of urgency pushed our team to innovate at a pace and scale we had never experienced before. That chapter not only demonstrated our technical agility but also reinforced my belief in robotics as a force for social good.

Another milestone was our expansion into the Japanese market in 2024, a move that challenged us on multiple levels. Japan, with its deep-rooted manufacturing culture and high standards for automation, posed both cultural and technical hurdles. We had to adapt our AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) solutions to the unique layouts of Japanese factories, local safety regulations, and operational preferences. Through persistent localization efforts—ranging from software interface redesign to in-person training with our partners—we achieved over 50% annual growth, establishing YOUIBOT as a trusted name in an industry known for its high entry barriers.

What Keeps me Inspired

The driving force behind my work remains the democratization of industrial automation. Robotics shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for Fortune 500 companies. I’m inspired by the potential to help small and medium-sized factories transition from manual to smart logistics, often for the first time. Watching factory workers interact with our AMRs—initially with hesitation, and eventually with confidence—reminds me that innovation succeeds only when it empowers users.

I’m also passionate about mentorship and team building. Nothing excites me more than seeing young engineers blossom into confident problem-solvers. My leadership philosophy emphasizes bridging gaps—between cutting-edge technology and everyday users, between theoretical knowledge and field experience, and especially, between women and opportunities in STEM.

Advocating for Women in STEM

As one of the few female founders in the industrial robotics space, I see it as both a responsibility and a privilege to advocate for diversity in tech. I regularly use platforms like LinkedIn, university guest lectures, and industry panels to spotlight the essential contributions of women in AI, robotics, and engineering. Representation matters, and I strive to make visible the many paths into tech leadership.

To support this mission, YOUIBOT has collaborated with global incubators such as SOSV, launching internship programs designed to attract and nurture young talent from diverse backgrounds. Our goal is not just to train future engineers, but to build a more inclusive innovation ecosystem where ideas are enriched by a multitude of perspectives.

Conclusion

From leading corporate innovation initiatives to building robots that operate across continents, my career has been—and continues to be—an evolving journey shaped by curiosity, resilience, and purpose. The path of an innovator is rarely linear, but with each challenge, there’s an opportunity to build something better—for industries, for communities, and for the world.