Cesar A. Contreras BSc., MSc. 
PhD Candidate in Robotics
Human Robot Interaction | Variable Autonomy | Intent Recognition | AI Safety | Nuclear decommissioning
@ Extreme Robotics Lab
cac214@bham.ac.uk
NDA Studentship - funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and supported by the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL).
UKRI project “REBELION” support - Research & Development of a highly automated and safe streamlined process for increased lithium‑ion battery repurposing and recycling (Grant 101104241).
Additional computational resources - generously provided by GalacNo Ltd.
Open to collaboration — have an idea, resource, or interest in supporting any of my PhD research? Email me and let’s explore it together.
This is my personal website, opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of anyone else.
About Me
Languages: English, Spanish
Likes: The sound of raindrops. Robots. AI. Programming. XR. Smart cities.
Dislikes: Fire alarms
With a passion for electronics and programming that started in childhood, I have gained extensive experience in designing, programming and testing robots, automated systems, and vision systems using a range of programming languages and tools.
During high school and college, I completed various research projects, took courses in math, programming, automation, and robotics, and worked on interdisciplinary projects, such as 3D printing, virtual environment control and simulation, and machines design.
I am highly motivated by curiosity and the desire to contribute to the creation of technologies that can improve people’s lives. I aspire to do research and innovation at higher professional levels and have gained experience in unsupervised research, mobile robotic systems, computer vision, and automated systems design. I also have experience as a software engineer and freelance app developer using various programming languages and tools.
Currently, I am working on personal projects, including generative algorithms, and developing a computer vision-assisted AI agents that can navigate changing environments and respond to my moods and stress levels.
Whenever I need to get something done and I don’t know how to do it I learn how to do it and get it done.
I’m especially interested in areas related to intelligent systems, cognitive systems, robotics, assistive technologies, adaptive VR, AR and cyber-physical systems. I’m also interested in the brain, emotions and simulated environments. Dreams are interesting as well, knowing more about the way they work is also one of my priorities
I want to work on solving problems which solution could make the world a better place for humanity.
Education
Variable autonomy control paradigm applied to mobile manipulation.
Fields
- Robotics
- Human Robot Interaction
- Artificial Intelligence
- XR
- Intelligent Robotics
- Robotics Manipulation
- Mobile Robotics
- Extreme Robotics Lab
- National Nuclear Lab
Falling Ball – gravity perception and eye tracking during VR interception.
Fields
- Cognitive Robotics
- Neurosciences
- Software Engineering
- Human Perception
- Probabilistic Robotics
- Mind Brains & Models
- Brain Imaging
- Electrophysiology
- Sensorimotor Computation (Yeo Lab)
- Extreme Robotics Lab
Robot Operating System for Industry 4.0
Fields
- Robotics
- Software Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Automation
- Robotics
- Industrial Networks
- Inmotics & Domotics
- Computer Vision
- CAD
- AR/VR
- MEMS
- Embedded Systems
- Bioengineering
- Digital Circuits
- INGENIA
- Mechatronics Student Club
- Industrial Automation
- Automotive Mechanics Design
- Entrepreneurship
Experience
Work Experience
- Robotic Algorithms
- Created and conducted experiments related to eye tracking and eye movement using simulation, analyzing human biomechanics and movement predictions.
- Processed and cleaned data to generate a wide range of graphs and statistical models for in‑depth analysis of experimental data, resulting in detailed insights into human behavior and physiology.
- Calibrated sensors and implemented device bridges to facilitate XR simulation and experimentation.
- Demonstrated strong problem‑solving skills and a deep passion for developing software solutions that catered to users' needs.
- Collaborated with a team to launch a new website, which led to a remarkable 50 percent increase in customer engagement and a surge of new clients.
- Ensured optimal performance and reliability of computer systems and servers by performing regular updates, diagnostics and maintenance, resulting in a 95 percent uptime.
- Developed mobile applications using Flutter, delivering fast and responsive user experiences across multiple platforms.
- Designed and built games using Unity and programmed with C# and machine learning algorithms to strengthen user engagement and interactivity.
- Leveraged Python scripts to interface with software and hardware systems, enabling seamless communication and data exchange.
- Proficient in software design, programming, and testing, with a focus on delivering reliable and high‑quality code.
- Skilled in physical prototyping, from ideation to execution, using a variety of tools and materials to create functional prototypes.
- Collaborated as a member of a four‑person team to design and implement a methodology for integrating the Robot Operating System with existing lab equipment, paving the way for the development of future projects using this powerful framework.
- Conducted more than fifty simulations of robots using CIROS Studio, Gazebo, CoppeliaSim, MoveIt, and MATLAB, and ensured seamless integration with the ROS framework, rigorously testing and validating the functionality.
- Assisted with the design and development of custom applications for vision systems, utilizing Python to implement cutting‑edge features and drive innovation in the field.
- Researched 3‑D printing applications for lower jaws and teeth using DICOM files, testing prints in three materials, and simulating prosthesis designs to improve patient outcomes and drive dental industry innovation.
- Customized and automated 3‑D printing hardware to operate with in‑house materials, reducing equipment costs by more than 30 percent and streamlining the prototyping process.
- Prototyped and tested body equipment to improve and adapt the functionality of existing Human‑Machine Interface technology, facilitating user interaction.
- Led a small team of three people in finding potential applications for newly acquired equipment and components using rapid prototyping techniques, including commercially available hardware and in‑house technology.
Voluntary Experience
- Led a team of six in completing time‑based projects, achieving up to 15 percent reduction in project completion time and reducing final product costs by five to ten percent.
- Identified and evaluated solutions to engineering problems and determined the most efficient and effective solutions to ensure successful project completion.
- Redesigned CAD files for simple robotic models and created electronic schematics for simulations. Programmed embedded systems and prototyped projects to verify feasibility and increase the club's capabilities.
- Participated in a reforestation project, contributing to the planting of trees and the preservation of the environment.
- Collaborated in building houses for a community, supporting the creation of a sustainable and safe living environment.
- Engaged in community outreach activities by bringing games and organising activities for children and elderly individuals, promoting social well‑being and inclusivity.
Skills
Badges
Favorite Quotes:
No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.
–J.R.R. Tolkien
Be weird. Be random. Be who you are. Because you never know who would love the person you hide.
–C.S. Lewis
“Four things support the world: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the good, and the valor of the brave”
–Unknown