The Tec professor who aims to transform lives through technology

With more than 24 years of experience as an engineering professor at the Tec’s Mexico City campus, Pedro Ponce Cruz has developed projects with a people-centered approach aimed at making a difference in education, society, and people’s lives through technology.

His research projects include a collaboration with MIT, where he leads virtual laboratories using technological solutions that prioritize human development and scientific progress in the country.

“The impact is measured by the effect it has on the benefits received by the people it is intended to serve,” says the academic.

Pedro Ponce, widely regarded as one of the community’s most beloved teachers, shares the highlights of his careerwith CONECTA.

Technology for a better future

Pedro Ponce holds a bachelor’s degree in Control and Automation Engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute, as well as a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering. He has developed technologies focused on addressing social issues to improve people’s quality of life. 

Projects ranging from robots for children with autism to systems that restore independence to people with physical disabilities.

According to him, technological innovation is not measured by the complexity of its algorithms, but by its ability to transform lives and build a better world.

“Civil science should always aim to build a better world. And that benefits everyone,” he shares.

His philosophy is that technology should adapt to people, not the other way around. This vision guides his work in developing solutions with a social and human focus.

“Give a person the ability to walk or move, and you’ll understand what it means to help others.”

“I firmly believe that machines should adapt to people, not the other way around. People come first; machines play a vital role, but only in that context,” he insists.

The researcher argues that the true impact of science lies in the direct benefits it brings to communities and the most vulnerable people, beyond industrial or governmental achievements.

Innovating for inclusive projects

One of the cornerstones of its social work is the Teco project, a robot specifically designed to assist in therapy for children with autism. 

Through facial expressions and multimedia activities, the Teco robot helps young children identify emotions and strengthen their communication and social skills during therapy sessions.

“I’m not going to change the world, but I can do my part by creating tools that change a child’s life, help people use energy more efficiently, and educate people in a better way: ‘interacting with a purpose,’” he says.

The professor has also developed smart wheelchairs equipped with sensors to avoid obstacles and make it easier for users to get around.

These systems can be controlled using eye movements and are designed for people with severe muscular dystrophywho are unable to use a manual controller, allowing them to move around independently again.

“You might say, ‘Hey, that’s not the best discovery.’ I’d say, ‘Give a person the ability to walk or move, and you’ll see what it means to help others,’” he remarks.

What’s more, he has worked closely with researchers at MIT on the development and implementation of FrED (Fiber Extrusion Device), a project focused on teaching advanced manufacturing.

A legacy with a human touch

According to the researcher, the training of new scientists must be grounded in ethics and moral responsibility.

Therefore, in his tutoring sessions, he encourages students to step outside the lab and tackle the challenges related to health, housing, and education that society requires.

“A researcher isn’t meant to be in the lab all the time. Our mission is to tackle challenges and problems and help people understand that we are important to society,” he says.

His vision for the future is to continue developing environmentally friendly technology that is accessible to everyone, to ensure that scientific progress leaves no one behind.

“No one should stay in their comfort zone. Nor should they say, ‘I don’t read anything anymore. I know enough.’ Because that is precisely what stands in the way of progress,” he warns.

In closing, he points out that his legacy is not measured solely by patents or books, but by his vision of progress, in which people are always the top priority.

“Technology is designed to benefit you and the whole world,” he concludes.

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