“Chicatanas” Robot Team Prepares for FutBotMx Robotics Cup

Rocío Castañeda / Photo: Jorge Aguilar

Ahead of the World Cup season, ESIME Azcapotzalco builds momentum with robotic soccer prototypes for a national competition organized by SECIHTI

Driven by a passion for engineering, knowledge, and technological challenges, students from the Escuela Superior de Ingeniería Mecánica y Eléctrica (ESIME), Azcapotzalco Unit, at the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), founded the only women-led robotics club in higher education within the institution: “Chicatanas.” In just a few months since its creation, the team has distinguished itself in various national and international competitions.

The robotics club was founded by Hassivi Yael Rayón Trejo, head of the IT Unit at ESIME Azcapotzalco, who, motivated by the need to strengthen women’s participation in robotics and expand opportunities in the field, formally established the group on September 17, 2025. The “Chicatanas” team—named after the iconic Mexican queen ant and symbolic of the school’s identity—is composed of five leaders specializing in mechanics, programming, logistics, marketing, and outreach to upper secondary schools within IPN.

As part of IPN’s 90th anniversary celebrations and in connection with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, the academic leader is promoting the First Futbots Robotics Cup in collaboration with the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology, and Innovation (SECIHTI), which designated ESIME Azcapotzalco as the regional host venue for the event scheduled for May 28–29.

This initiative also serves as preparation for the FutBotMx tournament organized by SECIHTI, which forms part of the broader activities surrounding the World Cup.

In preparation for the competition, ESIME Azcapotzalco is hosting complementary activities such as the workshops “Build and Program a Robot for the Futbots Cup” and “How to Build Successful Teams,” as well as a Women in Engineering (WIE) panel, STEAM club exhibitions, and lectures including “Design of a Formula SAE-Type Vehicle” and “Autonomous Robotics and Technological Sustainability.”

With a strong commitment to technological development, Hassivi Rayón Trejo emphasized that the “Chicatanas” club is open to ideas, talent, and a willingness to learn. “We are here as a club for the entire Politécnico community—from upper secondary education to postgraduate studies,” she said.

Origins of the Team

A graduate of both the Centro de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos (CECyT) 8 “Narciso Bassols” and ESIME Azcapotzalco, Rayón Trejo has firsthand experience of the potential of women in engineering. Together with students, she established this interdisciplinary club, which includes participants from ESIME Azcapotzalco and Zacatenco, the Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria en Ingeniería y Tecnologías Avanzadas (UPIITA), and CECyT campuses 8 and 9. Although initially conceived as a women-centered initiative—where female students remain the majority—the growing interest led to its integration as a mixed team.

The “Chicatanas” have achieved notable recognition in competitions such as NASA Space Apps, the Makex Robotics Competition Mexico 2025—where they secured a qualification spot for China—Robot God Olympics, Xmas, the ESIME Azcapotzalco 2025 Science Fair, and the “Politécnicas Abriendo Caminos” forum.

“I feel proud and deeply grateful to our students, who make these achievements possible. The knowledge they bring from upper secondary education is strengthened and expanded through their engineering training,” said Professor Rayón Trejo.

She also expressed her appreciation to the authorities of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional for their continued support, commitment, and vision in promoting the academic and professional development of the student community.