Dean Magnus Egerstedt Honored at Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo

Dean Magnus Egerstedt signing his name in the ledger of International Honorary Professors in a ceremony held by the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH) in Mexico on August 29, 2025.

Sept. 3, 2025 – UC Irvine Samueli School of Engineering Dean Magnus Egerstedt was given the title of International Honorary Professor at a grand ceremony held by the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH) in Mexico last week. UAEH President Octavio Castillo Acosta formally conferred the title to Egerstedt in recognition of his outstanding scientific leadership in robotics, control theory, and remote environmental monitoring.

Egerstedt founded the Robotarium, the world’s first remotely accessible swarm robotics laboratory which is now used by thousands of researchers worldwide. He’s a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) and a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences. Egerstedt also co-developed the SlothBot, a hyper-energy-efficient environmental robot and its cousin, the RaccoonBot, which is monitoring the environs at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County.

UAEH President Octavio Costallio Acosta congratulates Dean Magnus Egerstedt

Egerstedt said the honor is deeply meaningful and is looking forward to a closer partnership with UAEH. “We’re supercharging this collaboration,” he said. “We are looking to establish joint research projects, and researchers at UAEH are incorporating the Robotarium in their robotics research.”

UAEH is the largest university in the state of Hidalgo and has been collaborating with the UCI Samueli School of Engineering in research and other projects since last October. In addition, UCI has partnered with 15 universities and centers in Mexico for nearly a decade on research projects and research visits for students and faculty as part of the UC STEM-focused program, the Mexico Graduate Research Education Program (MGREP).

“By serving as a catalyst for present and future collaborations,” MGREP Director Luisa Kregel said, “MGREP demonstrates how academic leadership can translate into impactful innovations, nurturing social and economic progress for our partners across borders and on a global scale.” The two universities have hosted lab visits and research partnerships across the entire spectrum of engineering and computer science disciplines.

“International engagement and global partnerships are critical to higher education. Research questions do not stop at national borders,” said Egerstedt. “Mexico, our closest neighbor, is a natural partner in this regard with whom we can develop far-reaching educational and research opportunities.”

Mexico Graduate Research Education Program Director Luisa Kregel and Stacey Nicholas Dean of Engineering Magnus Egerstedt in the Dean’s Office. Dean Egerstedt is wearing the ceremonial “sash” signifying his induction as an International Honorary Faculty.

During his visit to UAEH, Dean Egerstedt delivered three distinguished lectures on Swarm Robotics, Assured Autonomy, and the Future of Engineering Education, underscoring his pioneering role in shaping the future of robotics research. He further demonstrated his global academic leadership by contributing to inaugural events at the Latin American University Book Fair—the largest book fair gathering in the Americas region—and by engaging in interviews with national Mexican media, thereby strengthening cross-border scientific and cultural dialogue.

- Natalie Tso

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