When I wasn’t studying for exams, a large portion of my time was dedicated to Rumblebots, a student-led robotics team. During my time with the organization, I served as the Software Department Lead, where I coordinated the development of the team’s first mini-sumo robots.
Mini-sumo robots are fully autonomous robots designed to detect, engage, and push opposing robots outside of a small dohyo. Developing these systems required working with infrared sensors, inertial measurement units (IMUs), and differential motor control to achieve precise movement and autonomous decision-making.
I also developed and maintained the team’s website, where detailed information about the organization and its robots was showcased. Several prospective members later referenced the website during their interviews when asked how they first learned about Rumblebots.
I worked with cooperative organizations in Puerto Rico to promote youth participation in the island’s cooperative socioeconomic model. I served first as President and later as Secretary of the Youth Committee at the Cooperative of Savings and Credit of Manatí, a local credit union.
During this time, we organized workshops focused on savings, credit, personal finance, and the foundations of Puerto Rican cooperativism. We also encouraged young people to become more proactive participants in their public, democratic, and community institutions.
