Meet Gerardo Morales, Robots Engineer, Hong Kong
Who are you and what is your background?
I am Gerardo Morales. I graduated with a degree in mechatronics engineering in Guadalajara, Mexico. When I was younger, I was always interested in how things work, especially home appliances, and I was impressed when I understood how the designer came up with the solution for the problem to create that device. Those experiences guided me to study Mechatronics Engineering, and I wanted to work specifically in robotics field. After working 7 years in manufacturing companies, I had the opportunity to study and earn my master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in Hong Kong. During that time I met Hanson Robotics through a friend who was working at Hanson at the time. So I decided to apply for my internship as my first option. Now I have been working there for 3 years and It is amazing!
What is your role at Hanson Robotics? What excites you about your work here?
I am a Robotics Engineer at Hanson Robotics and am in charge of designing mechanical improvements on the heads, torsos and arms.
What excites me most is the challenge of finding solutions about how to make smooth mechanical movements for Sophia, considering the reduction of assembly time and the increase of the lifespan.
What was the moment you knew you’d made the right decision to work here?
Knowing what Hanson Robotics has already achieved in the robotics field and the opportunity of being part of the development of Sophia as a CAD designer was the moment I realized it was the right job.
What are you working on now?
Now I am working to find simpler ways to control Sophia’s facial expressions as well as body movements to improve assembly and quality, so she can perform better around the world.
What was your best day at work?
My best day at work was when I found a way to add an extra degree of freedom in the wrist, (pitch and roll) within the space limits because for a long time we only have one DoF, and it worked as we expected.
What’s something that happened that can only happen here?
That we are completely free to give ideas to find solutions so that Sophia can improve in each presentation, and also listen to Sophia when she talks in the office especially her jokes!
What are you most proud of?
Every time when Sophia has good stage performance and people are completely impressed–that makes me proud.
What is your dream for Sophia?
My dream for Sophia is that all her movements such as arms, hands and facial expressions can be more and more realistic and imperceptible to human eye as well as having robust software that would make it seem more human when she talks with people.
Photo Credits: Hanson Robotics Limited
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