Outreach

INAOE Students Win Second Place in the Mexican Robotics Tournament with a Beach-Cleaning Robot

Santa María Tonantzintla, Puebla, May 13, 2025. Students from the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics (INAOE), a center of the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation (Secihti), won second place in the "Beach Cleaners" category of the 2025 Mexican Robotics Tournament (TMR), held from May 7 to 10 at the Autonomous Metropolitan University, Iztapalapa Unit, in Mexico City.

The Axotronics team, made up of students from the Electronics Coordination: Gloria Citlali Chávez Flores, Miguel Ángel Méndez Escobar, and Víctor Pérez Velasco, designed, built, and programmed an autonomous robot capable of identifying and collecting cans in an environment simulating a beach.
Under the guidance of Dr. José Hugo Barrón Zambrano, a researcher at INAOE, and professors from the Digital Systems Group (DSG), the team implemented advanced computer vision, control, and artificial intelligence techniques integrated into embedded systems, allowing the robot to operate completely autonomously within a limited timeframe.

During the competition, three rounds were held in which the robot's technical performance, adaptability, and efficiency were rigorously evaluated. The INAOE team remained among the top performers throughout all three stages, consolidating its position on the podium.
Twenty-four teams from various educational institutions and research centers participated in this category, including the University of the Americas Puebla (UDLAP), the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM), the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM), the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca (UABJO), the Atlixco Higher Technological Institute (ITSA), the Miguel de Granados Institute (IMG), and the Ecatepec Higher Technological Institute (TESE), among others.

In addition to being proud of the results, the students expressed their deep gratitude to INAOE and the Electronics Coordination for the support provided throughout the preparation process. Access to laboratories, materials, technical advice, and an environment that fosters innovation were key to bringing this project to fruition.

Such achievements not only reflect the students' dedication and talent, but also reaffirm INAOE's commitment as a research center committed to developing highly specialized human resources. Investing in robotics, intelligent systems, and applied engineering isn't just a technological endeavor: it's also a way to educate citizens capable of transforming their environment with real, socially meaningful solutions.