Miguel Aranda: “As a researcher, you have to learn to embrace uncertainty”

What led you to a career in research? 

It wasn't a vocation from the start, though I always knew I wanted to do something with a creative edge. Fortunately, my family gave me complete freedom and support to find my own path. My undergraduate thesis had a strong research component, and I think that’s what hooked me. Ultimately, I decided to pursue a PhD, and I’ve been researching ever since. 

In which areas have you focused your research? 

In robotics. Mainly focusing on the robotic manipulation of deformable objects and multi-robot systems. Handling deformable objects is a massive challenge. While it’s completely intuitive for a human, it is incredibly difficult for a robot to interact properly with materials that change shape. On the other hand, with multi-robot systems, our goal is to get several robots to cooperate to tackle complex tasks, such as transporting heavy, oversized objects or covering vast terrains. 

Is there a project that stands out as particularly meaningful to you? 

We currently have a project underway called REMAIN, funded by the Interreg Sudoe program, which backs multinational initiatives across Southwestern Europe. It’s a three-year project involving nine partners from Spain, France, and Portugal, including research centers, companies, and industry associations. 

We are tackling tasks aimed at the remanufacturing of deformable products within the footwear and garment industries using robotic technologies. It’s a circular economy project focused on reducing raw material usage and waste generation. Personally, I find that approach deeply rewarding. 

What has receiving the Ramón y Cajal grant meant for you? 

I feel incredibly fortunate because it allows me to conduct research under excellent conditions. The Ramón y Cajal program enables postdoctoral researchers to advance their work while offering a clear path toward long-term stability. It is managed by the Spanish State Research Agency. I officially joined this program in January of this year, with the I3A as my host institution. 

“I want to look back on my career and truly feel proud of what I’ve achieved”

How do you see the future of your field? What are the key trends or challenges? 

Robotics is experiencing a massive surge, largely driven by its intersection with artificial intelligence, which is going through a total boom right now. AI is allowing robots to perform far more difficult tasks with greater flexibility and autonomy. 

However, integrating the two is not as seamless as people might think. AI models can make mistakes and behave unpredictably, which becomes highly problematic when you are dealing with physical robots. A major current trend is combining these AI models with classical robotics methods to provide guaranteed safety standards. 

What do you enjoy most about your job? 

The creative side, coming up with new proposals. I also find collaborating with students and fellow researchers incredibly enriching. There is nothing quite like having an idea that looks good on paper and then watching it actually work when you test it on real robots. Plus, I genuinely enjoy scientific writing. 

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into research? 

I think the most important thing is ensuring that the act of researching truly motivates you—that there are aspects of the daily grind you genuinely enjoy. Persistence is key because things fail constantly, and you just have to pick yourself up and try again. Broadly speaking, you have to learn to embrace uncertainty; as a researcher, you are always handling entirely new concepts and systems, and there is no way of knowing beforehand how they will perform.