Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research project focuses on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to control the balance and locomotion of walking mobile robots, particularly bipedal robots. Walking robots have been of interest to me since I studied my bachelors’ degrees in electronic and mechanical engineering. In fact, I built a hexapod robot as a thesis for both majors. With the recent development of artificial intelligence technologies, computers can now solve more complex (multivariate) problems that were previously impossible to solve with traditional computational algorithms. With AI, computers can now learn the algorithm from input and output data, instead of using a preprogrammed algorithm to generate output data from input data.
One of the problems that can now be solved using AI is the control of walking robots’ balance and locomotion. Reinforcement learning (RL) is one of the tools that can be used to implement AI. It allows computers to learn a function through interaction with the external environment. That is, a robot equipped with an RL algorithm can now learn to walk and maintain balance without depending on a mathematical model of its mechanical system, in much the same way as living beings learn to walk using their senses—which in the case of robots, are sensors.
Have you presented or published your research somewhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have not had a chance to publish yet. I just finished the basic subjects on control theory and took my qualifying exam. Now, I must present my detailed research proposal, and once I’m done with this I will start to publish preliminary results.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
Many people know that artificial intelligence is at its peak and that its applications are part of our daily lives, on websites to predict our preferences, in telephone applications or in medicine to recognize images, on answering machines that recognize our voice, in smart home devices like Alexa, in self-driving cars, in computer games, etc. It is also generally known that behind this technology are neural networks as fundamental algorithms.
What many people may not know is that artificial intelligence is not a new area. In fact, the first algorithm of a neuron, called a perceptron (elementary component of neural networks) was developed in 1958. In 1974, scientists developed an algorithm called backpropagation, which allows automatic adjustment of neural network parameters so that it can approximate any mathematical function. In simpler terms, it can “learn” and predict some result based on experiences (observations) on which the neural network was trained. Thus, for example, an image recognition system works because the neural network was trained to recognize such images.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
Before coming to the United States, I was a faculty member at the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City for 28 years. I taught Linear Control (and laboratory) and Renewable Energies classes to engineering students. As a result, I have a close relationship with this university and, in particular, with the Instituto de Investigación Aplicada y Tecnología (INIAT), with whom I collaborate on research projects developing mobile robots, such as autonomous drones, among others.
What drew you to Texas and to UT San Antonio?
In the beginning, Texas, and San Antonio in particular, was convenient for me because I could quickly return and take care of my projects in Mexico. A few years after we moved to San Antonio, I visited UT San Antonio to attend to my daughter's exhibition, so I was able to see the College of Engineering and the advanced research projects that are done here. That is when I decided to return to academia, which had been part of my life for so many years, so I applied for a Ph.D. in engineering and got accepted. Then, I applied and obtained a scholarship from Conacyt-ConTex, so I was able to get into UTSA.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT San Antonio?
UTSA is a very inclusive institution. There are students from many different places and of all ages. I am grateful to UTSA for accepting me at my age to study for a graduate degree. In fact, my three daughters and I are all UTSA students, so we are a whole family of Roadrunners.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT San Antonio and living in the United States?
Living in the United States is a challenge because it is a different culture. Society works differently and it is necessary to adapt. People in general are very respectful of other people, but there are many rules to follow as members of society.
As for UTSA, the feeling is as pleasant as in Mexico. Being surrounded by people whose objective is to learn a specialty is definitely an enviable experience.
How has the support of ConTex and Conacyt impacted you?
The support of ConTex and Conacyt was key for me to be able to undertake this adventure and pursue my Ph.D. My expenses as a parent are high, and without financial support I would not have been able to cover them. Pursuing a doctorate takes a lot of time and effort, and while you are studying you do not make any money. On the other hand, given my academic profile, I hope to continue to participate in Conacyt's research programs.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? In what ways do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
Undoubtedly, my future work will involve researching artificial intelligence technologies as applied to autonomous mobile robots, be they land (with wheels or walkers), sea, or air (drones).
The benefits of autonomous vehicles for both countries are evident. In Mexico, the areas of mining, agriculture and security are the clearest. In mining, workers experience extreme conditions that affect their health and expose them to imminent dangers such as falling rocks and landslides that can leave them trapped underground. An autonomous mobile robot can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with remote supervision from outside, thus improving the productivity of the mine. In agriculture, robots can do strenuous tasks, such as planting and harvesting, or harmful jobs, such as applying insecticides. In addition, a mobile aerial robot (drone) can fly over large fields and generate maps that show the state of crops, detecting areas with water or pesticide needs. In the field of security, there is a need for aerial supervision of cities using autonomous drones with pre-programmed routes; and in the fight against drug trafficking, having autonomous robots that can assist in police operations would save many lives.
In the case of the United States, in addition to the functions already mentioned, the development of autonomous vehicles is an industry with high growth expectations. Also, autonomous drones to answer 911 calls are already part of an expanding reality throughout America.
What advice would you give other Mexican students considering studying in Texas?
UT System is undoubtedly one of the most important university systems in the United States. The professors are very well prepared. The budget that the institutions have is impressive, and there are plenty of opportunities for good students. I often receive emails with research prospects at various institutions and research centers in Texas.
Studying in Texas is a great option that can catapult students to more sophisticated studies elsewhere in the world or to the labor market for highly educated individuals. San Antonio is a safe and quiet city, but there are busier cities, like Austin or Dallas, where UT System is also very important.
