The Mine-Eye Gama team, representing Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), emerged as one of the finalists out of 2,400 total applicants and secured 2nd place in the Business Challenge Track category during the judging at Astranauts 2024.
Astranauts 2024 is a digital innovation competition and technology conference organized by PT Astra Digital for startups and students. Aiming to find innovative solutions to strengthen Indonesia’s digital and technology ecosystem, Astranauts 2024, in its third year, carried the theme “Technology Innovation for Today and The Future of Indonesia.”
The Mine-Eye Gama team consists of Daniel Imanuel Manafe, Himawan Wicaksono, and Kevin Andika Rata (Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology 2022), Menliman Joyfal Gulo (Cartography and Remote Sensing 2022), Sabila Hestuning (Management 2023), and Soen Eliora Valerie Natania (Biology 2023).
The team, mentored by Jans Hendry, proposed a solution for efficient geospatial data acquisition using UAV drones and 3D LiDAR with a control and transmission system through a private broadband network.
Rapid changes in mining topography require regular safety standard adjustments to reduce accident risks and ensure smooth company operations.
By applying the techniques offered by the Mine-Eye Gama team, PT Pamapersada Nusantara, which traditionally acquires geospatial data conventionally, will be able to optimize large data acquisition remotely in real-time for surveyors at the Ground Control Station Custom via a website.
“This project was initially worked on by Himawan, Kevin, and me in our program, but as we needed technical expertise such as geospatial mapping with drones and LiDAR and refinement on the business challenge, our cross-disciplinary team was formed,” said Manafe, CEO of Mine-Eye Gama, in an interview on Wednesday (Jun. 19).
Manafe added that their mentor, Jans Hendry, played a crucial role by providing input on electronics and drone control systems, ensuring professional implementation if a collaboration offer from ASTRA Group arises.
Facing stiff competition, Manafe and his team felt nervous competing with students and startups experienced in business pitching.
“Due to different schedules, coordinating often required late-night online meetings. During mentorship sessions, we faced miscommunication, forcing us to revise our idea from mining survey mapping to geospatial data acquisition for pit-one road mapping,” Manafe explained.
Mine-Eye Gama convincingly demonstrated during the judging that their tool could be implemented in the field.
“Geospatial topics are rarely highlighted, even though they are very beneficial for mining. Additionally, among all the finalists, we were the only team offering an integrated software and hardware solution, while others only offered software ideas,” he noted, explaining their advantage that led to winning 2nd place in the Business Challenge Track category.
Thanks to their success, Mine-Eye Gama received the opportunity to collaborate with the Astra Group, exclusive mentorship from industry experts and leaders, and the chance to pitch their idea to venture capital partners of Astranauts 2024.
“Competitions are not just about winning or losing but about learning, innovating, and bringing positive change. So, to younger students, don’t hesitate to compete and bring pride to our alma mater,” Manafe concluded.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Photo: Daniel Imanuel Manafe