Ponce-Cruz, Pedro

Dr. Pedro Ponce holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in Control Systems (IPN, Mexico). He is a senior researcher and professor with extensive expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, intelligent and advanced control systems, fuzzy systems, metaheuristic optimization, digital twins, energy systems, and cyber-physical systems. His research focuses on advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0 and 5.0, digital twins (industrial, human, and cognitive), computer vision, smart sensors, Agro 4.0, energy systems, and the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into intelligent engineering platforms. His work integrates theory and practice to design sustainable, intelligent, and human-centered systems. He is currently a Researcher in Enabling Technologies at the Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing at Tecnológico de Monterrey, where he also serves as a Research Professor at the School of Engineering and Science. He has held several academic leadership roles, including Director of Master’s and Ph.D. programs in Engineering and Manufacturing, and Coordinator of international research collaborations, notably with UC Berkeley CITRIS. Dr. Ponce has been a Visiting Researcher at MIT, UC Berkeley, Arizona State University, the University of Siegen (Germany), and National Instruments (USA), participating in projects on digital twins, virtual reality, AI-driven manufacturing, smart energy systems, and real-time control, thereby strengthening academia–industry collaboration and technology transfer. He is an editor and editorial board member of high-impact JCR journals, including the International Journal of Ambient Energy, International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, and Production & Manufacturing Research, and an active member of the IFAC Technical Committee 5.3. He has also served as a Guest Editor for international special issues in AI, robotics, smart cities, and energy systems. Dr. Ponce is the author and co-author of multiple patents and patent applications in intelligent control systems, digital twins, robotics, smart energy solutions, and AI-enabled sensing platforms, aimed at technology readiness, industrial scalability, and real-world deployment, developed in collaboration with industry partners and international institutions. He has received recognition for academic excellence, scientific productivity, and technological innovation. He is a Level II member of Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI) and a member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Dr. Ponce has published over 220 peer-reviewed scientific articles, 20 books, supervised more than 75 undergraduate and graduate theses, and led funded projects in smart grids, digital twins, AI-based education, robotics, and sustainable manufacturing. His contributions include high-impact industrial projects in electric drives, renewable energy, and intelligent control platforms. Across his work, he actively promotes technology transfer, applied innovation, and industry collaboration, generating scientific, social, economic, and environmental benefits, and positioning engineering and AI as key enablers of inclusive and sustainable development.