Carlos Veintimilla
Mechatronics engineer and Assistant Professor at ESPOL, working on hardware design, sensor integration, and autonomous systems. Co-directing EOD-AV, an initiative to build Ecuador’s first open-source multimodal dataset for autonomous navigation, while exploring robotics and UAV development for research applications.
About
I’m a mechatronics engineer from Guayaquil, Ecuador, with a B.Sc. from Tecnológico de Monterrey (2023). I currently work as an Assistant Professor at ESPOL University and as a research member of the CoRAL Lab.
My work focuses on hardware design, sensor integration, and applied engineering. I’m the co-director of the Ecuador Open Dataset for Autonomous Vehicles (EOD-AV), a research project developing Ecuador’s first open-source multimodal dataset for autonomous navigation. Our goal is to support research on autonomous vehicles in local urban environments and help establish a regional reference for this field.
I’m also exploring autonomous systems and UAV design and development for research applications. I enjoy working at the intersection of hardware, sensing, and intelligent systems, turning ideas into practical projects while continuing to learn and explore new technologies.
Research
Ecuador Open Dataset for Autonomous Vehicle
Ecuador’s First Open-Source Autonomous Vehicle Dataset, Aiming to Become a Regional Reference for Research and Innovation
EOD-AV is a research initiative developing Latin America’s first open, urban, multimodal dataset for autonomous navigation in unstructured environments, starting in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Most autonomous driving datasets are collected in highly structured urban environments, which may not adequately represent the complex and diverse conditions found in Latin American cities. EOD-AV aims to address this gap by collecting multimodal sensor data that reflects real-world driving conditions, supporting the development and evaluation of more robust autonomous navigation systems.
As co-director of the project, I contribute to coordinating this research initiative, bringing together multidisciplinary teams and supporting the development of an infrastructure for autonomous vehicle research in Ecuador, with the long-term goal of establishing a regional reference dataset.
Projects
Educational Micro Drone for STEM Learning
Context
Hands-on STEM education often lacks accessible platforms that allow students to explore flight dynamics, electronics, sensors, and control systems through real-world experimentation.
Objective
Develop a compact, instrumented microdrone as an educational platform for teaching STEM concepts through practical experiments, flight missions, and data-driven learning.
Contribution
Focused on the hardware design and system integration, including the selection of the XIAO ESP32-S3 microcontroller, integration of the BMI088 inertial sensor, and development of a compact electronics architecture. The project aims to make drone technology an accessible tool for hands-on engineering education.
Reinforcement Learning
Context
Reinforcement learning offers a framework for training robotic systems to develop behaviors through interaction with simulated environments.
Objective
Reinforcement learning offers a framework for training robotic systems to develop behaviors through interaction with simulated environments.
Contribution
Conducted introductory experiments with the Unitree G1 humanoid robot in MuJoCo, exploring simulation setup, robot movement, and the challenges of applying reinforcement learning to humanoid control. This experience provided practical exposure to simulation-based robotics and learning-driven control methods.
Teleoperated Robot
Context
Teleoperating robots over the internet can enable remote manipulation in environments where direct human intervention is difficult or impractical.
Objective
Integrate a mobile platform with the Baxter collaborative robot and enable remote operation using a virtual reality headset and controllers.
Contribution
Focused on the mechanical integration of the system, including adapting an electric wheelchair as a mobile base, designing the robot mounting structure, and evaluating structural stability and mechanical stresses using SolidWorks. The work enabled stable robot mobility while supporting the overall teleoperation system.
FSAE México
Context
Formula SAE is an engineering competition where multidisciplinary teams design and manufacture formula race cars, integrating vehicle systems, performance, and manufacturability.
Objective
Contribute to the development and manufacturing of an electric formula-style race car, focusing on the aerodynamic bodywork and its integration into the vehicle design.
Contribution
Coordinated the aerodynamics department, leading the design and manufacturing of the vehicle’s bodywork. Worked on aerodynamic profile design and simulation using Airfoil Tools and SolidWorks, while gaining hands-on experience in fiberglass fabrication and additive manufacturing. The team achieved second place in Engineering Design at FSAE México.
Experience & Education
Tec de Monterrey
Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering with Cyber-physical systems specialization.
Formula SAE Tec Racing
Aerodynamic Coordinator of the design of the vehicle.
January 2026 – Present
Co-Director of EOD-AV
Co-directing a multidisciplinary research initiative to develop Ecuador’s first open-source, multimodal dataset for autonomous navigation. Responsibilities include research coordination, sensor integration planning, team collaboration, and supporting data collection and dissemination to advance autonomous vehicle research in Ecuador and establish a regional reference for Latin America.
November 2024 – Present
Assistant Profesor – ESPOL University
Leading university lab sessions and practical training in advanced engineering fields, including Biomechatronics (Machine and Deep Learning), Flexible Manufacturing Systems using RobotStudio, and Applied Control Systems via Matlab.
January 2024 – June 2024
Assembly Supervisor – DACAR INDUSTRIES
Supervised assembly plant operations, leading technical teams, enforcing industrial safety protocols, and optimizing production schedules and quality assurance metrics to ensure the seamless execution of manufacturing and product quality plans
August 2020 – June 2023
Aerodynamics Coordinator – Formula SAE Tec Racing
Coordinated the design, development, and manufacturing of an electric Formula car, leading aerodynamics and manufacturing activities and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Designed and simulated aerodynamic profiles using Airfoil Tools and SolidWorks, gaining hands-on experience in additive manufacturing, and fiberglass fabrication. Contributed to the team’s 2nd-place finish in Engineering Design at FSAE México and recognition at Conecta Tec.