# Carme Torras

> Spanish mathematician and computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q19289075](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q19289075)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carme_Torras)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/carme-torras

## Summary
Carme Torras is a Spanish mathematician and computer scientist known for her pioneering work in robotics and artificial intelligence. She is a professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council, recognized for both her technical contributions and her science fiction writing.

## Biography
- Born: July 4, 1956, in Barcelona, Spain
- Nationality: Spanish
- Education: Ph.D. in Mathematics from Polytechnic University of Catalonia (advisor: Luis Basañez Villaluenga)
- Known for: Robotics, artificial intelligence, and science fiction writing
- Employer(s): Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spanish National Research Council
- Field(s): Informatics, mathematics, robotics, artificial intelligence, computer science

## Contributions
Carme Torras has made significant contributions to robotics and artificial intelligence through her research at the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI) at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. Her work focuses on robot motion planning, manipulation, and human-robot interaction. She has supervised numerous doctoral students, including Edgar Simo-Serra, who completed his Ph.D. in 2015. Beyond her technical research, Torras is an accomplished science fiction author, having published several novels that explore the ethical implications of technology. Her novel "La mutació sentimental" won the Ictineu Award in 2009 and the National Award for Literature in Catalan in 2007. She has also received the National Research Award-Catalonia in 2020 and the Julio Rey Pastor National Research Award in 2020, recognizing her dual contributions to science and literature.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Carme Torras known for?
A: Carme Torras is known for her pioneering research in robotics and artificial intelligence, as well as her science fiction writing that explores ethical questions in technology.

### Q: Where does Carme Torras work?
A: She is a professor at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia and a researcher at the Spanish National Research Council's Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics.

### Q: Has Carme Torras received any notable awards?
A: Yes, she has received multiple awards including the National Research Award-Catalonia (2020), Julio Rey Pastor National Research Award (2020), and several Ictineu Awards for her science fiction novels.

## Why They Matter
Carme Torras matters because she bridges the worlds of technical research and humanistic inquiry in robotics and AI. Her work has advanced the field of robot motion planning and human-robot interaction, while her science fiction writing brings ethical considerations of technology to a broader audience. As one of the few women in her field to achieve such prominence, she serves as a role model for diversity in STEM. Her dual career demonstrates how technical expertise and creative expression can complement each other in addressing the societal implications of emerging technologies. Through her research, teaching, and writing, Torras has influenced both the technical development of robotics and the public discourse about its impact on society.

## Notable For
- Pioneering research in robot motion planning and human-robot interaction
- Author of award-winning science fiction novels exploring technology ethics
- Recipient of both National Research Award-Catalonia and Julio Rey Pastor National Research Award in 2020
- Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona and Academia Europaea
- Advocate for women in STEM through her visibility and leadership in robotics

## Body
### Academic Career
Carme Torras has built her academic career at the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, where she serves as a professor and researcher. Her doctoral work, completed under the supervision of Luis Basañez Villaluenga, laid the foundation for her research in robotics. She has supervised multiple doctoral students, including Edgar Simo-Serra, contributing to the training of the next generation of researchers in robotics and AI.

### Research Contributions
Torras's research focuses on robot motion planning, manipulation, and human-robot interaction. Her work at the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics has contributed to advancing the field of robotics, particularly in developing algorithms that enable robots to navigate and interact with their environment more effectively. Her publications in these areas have established her as a leading figure in robotics research.

### Literary Work
Beyond her technical contributions, Torras is an accomplished science fiction author writing in Catalan. Her novels, including "La mutació sentimental," "Enxarxats," and "L'indigent," have won multiple Ictineu Awards and explore the ethical and social implications of technological advancement. This unique combination of technical expertise and creative writing allows her to examine the human dimensions of technological progress.

### Recognition and Leadership
Torras's contributions have been recognized through numerous awards and leadership positions. She was elected as a numerary member of the Science and Technology Section of the Institute of Catalan Studies in 2017 and became a member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona in the same year. Her election to Academia Europaea in 2010 further recognizes her standing in the international scientific community.

### Impact on Diversity in STEM
As a prominent female researcher in robotics and AI, Torras serves as an important role model for women in STEM fields. Her visibility and success help challenge gender stereotypes in technical disciplines and inspire the next generation of female scientists and engineers.

## Schema Markup
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  "birthDate": "1956-07-04",
  "birthPlace": "Barcelona, Spain",
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## References

1. [Source](http://apmembres3.iec.cat/detall.aspx?pkMembrePLE=1046)
2. Czech National Authority Database
3. datos.bne.es
4. [Source](https://www.raing.es/academicos/de-numero/carme-torras-genis/)
5. [Source](https://futur.upc.edu/CarmeTorras)
6. [Source](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2933-398X)
7. [Institute for Catalan Studies](https://www.iec.cat/activitats/butlleti/detall.asp?id_noticies=1911&numero=218)
8. [Source](https://www.sccff.cat/premi-ictineu/)
9. [Source](https://www.sccff.cat/2017/11/26/la-sccff-lliura-els-ix-premis-ictineu-en-el-marc-de-la-catcon/)
10. [Source](http://universitatsirecerca.gencat.cat/ca/01_secretaria_duniversitats_i_recerca/premis_i_reconeixements/guardons_narcis_monturiol/medalles_narcis_monturiol/)
11. [Ministry of Science of Spain](https://www.ciencia.gob.es/portal/site/MICINN/menuitem.edc7f2029a2be27d7010721001432ea0/?vgnextoid=f82c81f33a1c5710VgnVCM1000001d04140aRCRD&vgnextchannel=4346846085f90210VgnVCM1000001034e20aRCRD)
12. [Source](https://www.iec.cat/activitats/butlleti/detall.asp?id_noticies=1911&numero=218)
13. [Vilaweb](https://www.vilaweb.cat/noticies/bonaventura-clotet-carme-torras-premi-nacional-recerca/?f=rel)
14. [Source](https://premisnacionalsrecerca.fundaciorecerca.cat/frontend/guardonats.asp#guardonats)
15. [Guardonades edició 2020](https://politiquesdigitals.gencat.cat/ca/ciutadania/donatic/premis-dona-tic/guardonades-edicions-anteriors/guardonades-edicio-2020/)
16. [Source](https://govern.cat/salapremsa/notes-premsa/662585/govern-distingeix-creu-sant-jordi-20-persones-10-entitats)
17. Mathematics Genealogy Project
18. [Source](https://esslab.jp/~ess/publications/SimoSerraPHD2015.pdf)
19. [Source](https://www.ae-info.org/ae/User/Torras_Carme)
20. [Source](https://publicacions.iec.cat/repository/pdf/00000260/00000013.pdf)
21. [Source](https://www.racab.cat/academics/numeraris/t/torras)
22. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
23. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0002-2933-398X/researcher-urls/355447)
24. Autoritats UB
25. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0002-2933-398X/external-identifiers/827433)
26. [SciGraph](https://scigraph.springernature.com/person.011602613017.98)