UGM Robot team, once again, earned an award in world robot competition. This time, the UGM robot team brought home two gold medals and one silver medal in Robogames 2012 in San Mateo, California, the United States.
Robogames 2012 from 20-22 April 2012 was attended by 16 countries in the world. As many as 238 teams, 682 robots, and 1039 engineers from several countries, such as Argentina, Denmark, India, Japan, Korea, and America were present at this prestigious competition. There are at least 59 contested categories ranging from humanoid, hurdles, Kung Fu, and the battle. In addition to UGM, Unikom robotics team from Bandung also managed to add to gold achievements for Indonesia with 3 gold medals in the competition.
UGM robot team represented by Luis Rizki Ramelan (Electrical Engineering 2009), Noer Aziz Ismail (Electrical Engineering 2009) and Ridwan Widoyoko (Mechanical Engineering 2008), brought seven robots to the Robogames 2012. "At that time, we brought 7 robots and won medals in three categories," Ridwan Wiyoko said during a press conference with reporters at Stana Parahita UGM, Thursday (26/4).
Ridwan said in Robogames this time, UGM robot team managed to get medals from Fire Fighting, Balancing Stand, and Walker Challenge categories.
One gold medal was gained by Iron Fire robot, a robot which put out the fire of a candle in the category of firefighting. Another gold medal was obtained by Isorobot Stand Balancing, a two-wheeled balancing robot in the category of balancing stand. Meanwhile the silver medal was presented by I-Kinematic legged robot for category walker challenge.
Aziz added that the success is because UGM’s robots are more stable and reliable than the robots from other countries. In several trials and performances, UGM’s robots rarely encountered errors. "Although the robots were played for many times, they made only a few errors while other robots did not," he said, adding that their robot is also superior in speed.
Aziz explained their robots were entirely made with local materials or components. Almost all parts are self-assembled, except for the sensor. Cash expended for the manufacture of robots was varied between five hundred thousand to forty million rupiah. "We didn’t spend much money to make these robots. Most of our robots were made from components of existing robot, we recycle them for reuse," he said.
Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Research, and Cooperation of Faculty of Engineering Prof. Ir. Jamasri, Ph.D., said before the competition, UGM team also competed in Trinity Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest and RoboWaiter Competition (TCFFHCRC) in 2011. At that time, UGM team won gold and silver medals in the category of Senior Wheeled Robot. "Last year the UGM robot team managed to bring two gold medals and one silver medal. This time, the achievement increases to 2 gold and 1 silver medals," he said.
Meanwhile, the Director of Student Affairs of UGM, Drs. Haryanto, M.Sc., said that UGM strongly supports the efforts to develop robots conducted by the students. Since 2005, UGM has worked in synergy with a number of Faculties, such as Faculty of Engineering, Mathematics and Vocational College, for the development of UGM robot.
UGM plans to provide a special space for the development of robots at UGM. "Soon, UGM will open the space for robot activity on the 3rd floor of former UGM library building," he said.