Luis Sentís advocates human‑centered humanoid robotics

Luis Sentís, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Texas and founder of the robotics firm Apptronik, has become a leading voice in humanoid robotics. He created the "whole‑body control" theory that lets robots walk while manipulating objects, and is now developing "whole‑body communication," where robots gather and share information about the neighborhoods they traverse, aiming to serve people more effectively.

Sentís stresses that robots must keep people at the core of their design, incorporating empathy and emotional cues to improve interaction. He believes humanoid form offers speed and adaptability advantages in complex environments. The professor’s background includes a 1997 postgraduate stint at Stanford funded by a La Caixa scholarship, and recent participation in the 44th edition of the program’s ceremony, passing the torch to the next generation. Goldman Sachs projects annual sales of humanoid robots could reach 1.4 million units by 2035, underscoring the technology’s growing market potential.