Being the champion at the World Robot Contest, Trinity Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest and RoboWaiter Competition (TCFFHCRC), in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, from 9-10 April 2011 were never imagined in their minds. Moreover, if you look at the competitors who came from some developed countries such as China, Israel, Mexico, Canada, Portugal, and the U.S. However, the reality proves the resilience of Indonesian robot teams, including UGM’s Robot Team.
"We were nervous and discouraged to see our adversaries, especially China who are very strong. But, finally with confidence and optimism we managed to win it," said one member of the UGM robot team, Farid Inawan (Department of Electrical Engineering 2009), after the meet and greet with a range of University and faculty members at the KPTU Room Faculty of Engineering on Monday (18/4).
Farid, along with Noer Aziz Ismail, Luiz Rizki Ramelan (Department of Electrical Engineering 2009) and Wahyu Wijayanto (Department of Mechanical Engineering 2008) succeeded to win the first and second place in the category of Senior Division. Koplax Robot and Iron Fire became the first champion and runner up in the prestigious competition.
Farid added that two days before their departure, actually they were not ready completely. In fact, when they arrived in the U.S., their robots and the supplies stored in the trunk of the plane were heated. However, after some treatment, the Koplax that has only two wheels and uses a ladle as a counterweight became the champion.
After going through three phases, Farid continued, Koplax spent about 4.6 seconds. The Koplax’s first trial only takes 0.8 seconds. While Indonesia‘s rival, China, spent the time to go through trials and extinguish the candle’s flame in 0.9 seconds or just 0.1 seconds longer than Koplax.
"The spoon was used to bring the Ironfire robot to win in KRCI at Muhammadiyah University of Malang (UMM) last year," he added.
In the meantime, Wahyu Wijayanto also admitted that he had not imagined them to come out as champions. He also told the team to keep the robot in the freezer first. This is done as a preparatory step given the conditions of cold weather in the U.S.
"We took every step, including storing the robot in the freezer to be able to adjust to the climate there," said Wahyu.
Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Ir. Tumiran, M. Eng., Ph.D., said they were proud with the achievements of the students. The achievement has travelled a long journey after winning the KRCI in Malang last year. The Faculty of Engineering, said Tumiran, gives awards to students with free tuition and BOP for 3 years. Tumiran also conveys the message from National Education Minister, M. Nuh, for UGM to try to develop a robotics laboratory.
"In addition to S2 scholarships from our minister, we also gave appreciation to the students," said Tumiran.
In the same place the Director of Student Affairs, Drs.Haryanto, M. Si also hopes the achievements of students in this international arena can be further improved. He acknowledged during the last three years since 2008 UGM was quite focused to develop robot on campus.
If the student already has passion to work and advance the UGM, the role of the lecturer to provide guidance is also expected, " Haryanto says.
Meanwhile, Vice Rector of Alumni Affairs and Business Development, Prof. Ir. Atyanto Dharoko, M. Phil., Ph.D. in his speech said the robot team achievement is a form of internationalization. Besides the works that get international recognition, some steps toward internationalization that are necessary to continue are policies and regulations based on international standards, and promote local wisdom as ancestral heritages to student learning center.
"Continue to give real work to get recognition from the international community to achieve success," said Atyanto.
As is known, the TCFFHCRC is a fire extinguisher robot competition held annually since 1994. The competition was followed by student ranging from the junior high school, high school, University students to practitioners. At the 2011 event, 135 robots take part in the competition. Indonesia, in addition to UGM, ITB and UNIKOM also managed to win the first and second place for the category of Walking Division and RoboWaiter Entry Level and RoboWaiter Advance. Of this achievement, the UGM team is also entitled to a prize of USD 300 and USD 200. Congratulations!