MEXICALI BRIEFS: CETYS students head to Panama for World Robot Olympiad with Solar Panel Cleaning Robot
EDUCATION
CETYS students head to Panama for World Robot Olympiad with Solar Panel Cleaning Robot
Three students from CETYS Universidad Campus Mexicali will represent Mexico at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Open Championship in Panama this October after their innovative project, Solarith, earned a spot among the top six nationally.
The team is made up of Alejandro Pineda Aguirre, from Electronic Cybernetics Engineering; Jorge Humberto Ibarra Flores, from Computer Science Engineering; and Milena Olivares Coviella, a high school student in the International Baccalaureate program. Their project, Solarith, is an autonomous robot designed to clean solar panels.
“I’m really excited and happy to have achieved this merit; it means a lot to us because we were able to present a real need from our community and share it with judges and participants from across the country,” said Olivares.
The project addresses a critical challenge in Mexicali and other regions of Mexico: dust buildup on solar panels, which significantly reduces efficiency. “What we want is to protect people’s investment so they not only have energy at home but also confidence when choosing renewable energy,” explained Ibarra.
After more than six months of preparation, the students designed an adjustable, modular robot capable of adapting to panels of different sizes. The design helped them stand out at the national level and earn valuable feedback to strengthen their prototype for international competition.
Looking ahead to Panama, the team is refining their robot to withstand humid and rainy climates. “We want to take this opportunity to show that our project has strong social impact potential and can go beyond the competition itself,” said Pineda.
With their dedication and vision, the students hope to not only represent Mexico proudly but also pave the way for technological solutions that support the transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy.
ASSEMBLY
Lawmakers demand report on Mexicali’s environmental patrols
The Baja California State Assembly has issued a resolution calling on Mexicali Mayor Norma Alicia Bustamante Martínez to provide a detailed report on the city’s “ecological patrol” unit. The move was spearheaded by Assemblywoman Alejandrina Corral Quintero, who said the resolution was inspired by a young student’s concerns about the city’s environmental health.
The proposal came to light after Alexa Fernanda Miranda Vallecitos, a middle school student, visited Corral Quintero’s community office to voice her worries about the environmental state of the state’s capital.
During her address, Assemblywoman Corral Quintero emphasized the critical role of these patrols. She stated that having active and efficient ecological patrol vehicles is essential for responding to public complaints, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, and promoting a culture of respect for the natural environment.
Lawmakers pointed out that the patrols’ effectiveness is hindered by the limited number of vehicles. Although the City of Mexicali announced last December that it had acquired 100 new vehicles for the Mexicali Police Department—some of which were intended to bolster the ecological patrol—legislators believe it’s necessary to have clear information on the progress of that initiative.
Corral Quintero stressed that having complete and accurate data on the city’s environmental actions is crucial. Only with verified information can they properly assess the effectiveness of municipal programs and, if necessary, pass legislative reforms to strengthen institutional capabilities for the benefit of the environment.
The legislator concluded by reiterating that the request aims to address the valid concerns of citizens, especially the younger generation. It also reaffirms the legislative body’s commitment to protecting the environment and building a more sustainable future for Mexicali and all of Baja California.
CRIME
Man arrested for allegedly kidnapping and robbing ex-partner
Mexicali police officers arrested a man late Wednesday night in the Solidaridad Infonavit neighborhood, in western Mexicali, after allegedly kidnapping his ex-partner and stealing her phone and cash.
The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. when municipal police officers on patrol were approached by a 43-year-old woman seeking help. She reported that, moments earlier, while at her home on Sierra Encantada Street, her ex-partner had entered aggressively through the back of the property.
According to the victim’s account, the suspect assaulted her and held her against her will, tying her hands and feet with a rope. He then stole her cellphone and 200 pesos or close to $10 in cash. After approximately 30 minutes, the victim managed to free herself during a moment of distraction and escaped to ask for help.
Police officers immediately responded to the scene, but the suspect had already fled. A search operation was launched, leading to his arrest near the junction of the Mexicali-Tijuana highway and Heroico Colegio Militar Street.
The suspect, identified as Julio Alberto “N,” 45, was taken into custody and transferred to police headquarters. He now faces charges of unlawful deprivation of liberty and violent robbery in a residence.
COURTS
Two men ordered to stand trial in Mexicali for kidnapping and vehicle theft
Two men accused of kidnapping a woman and stealing her vehicle in the Cuauhtémoc neighborhood have been formally linked to criminal proceedings and remain in pretrial detention, authorities reported.
According to news media outlet reports, the suspects, identified as Jhonny “N” and Rodolfo “N,” are facing charges for events that occurred on August 28. According to investigators, the victim was approached by the men, who violently forced her into the passenger seat of her own 2015 maroon Ford Escape, threatening to kill her if she resisted.
The suspects drove the woman through several streets until reaching the intersection of Calzada Cuauhtémoc and Justo Sierra Boulevard, where she managed to escape the vehicle and call for help.
Police later arrested the two men on Gómez Morin Boulevard in the Terrazas del Sol subdivision, where they were found in possession of the stolen SUV.
Both suspects are being held in preventive custody while the legal process continues.
– Staff Report,