YOGYAKARTA-Toward the National Robot Contest 2012 from June 29 to July 1, 2012 in Bandung, the UGM Robot Team is getting more solid. Currently UGM team has Graha Robotika (Robotics Center) located on the 3rd floor of former building of UGM Library Unit II. UGM robot team manager, Sarjiya, Ph.D., said that in the years before, the development of UGM robotics is still fragmented between Faculties and Departments, so it is less effective and efficient. The existence of Graha Robotika brings together some of Faculties and Departments which have focused on the robotics development. "Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, or Vocational School can be united in the development of robots," Sarjiya said in the soft launching of Graha Robotics UGM, Wednesday (13/6).
Sarjiya added that robotics development in higher education today has become an icon of quality and achievement of a university. In addition, it also becomes a means of promoting higher education, both at national and international arena. UGM robotics development from year to year continues to show achievements. Not only at national level, but also international level. "We became the first and second winners in the Trinity College Fire Fighting Home Robot Contest in the U.S. and won two gold medals and one silver medal at the Robogames 2012 in San Mateo, California," he added.
In line with Sarjiya, Director of Student Affairs UGM, Drs. Haryanto, M.Si, said the UGM robot team’s success is inseparable from the support from various parties, such as the campaign team, management and supporters. Haryanto admitted, before growing rapidly as happening now, the robotics at UGM is merely a hobby for some. "It started from a hobby to become a co-curricular activity such as this one. Success and achievements cannot be separated from the support from many people, including students," Haryanto added.
UGM robot team leader, Damar Satrio Guntoro, said that at the National Robot Contest 2012, UGM robot team will perform in all divisions. For the division of Indonesian Robot Contest (KRI), UGM will perform with the Jump-Ace robot. In the Indonesian Intelligent Wheeled Robot Contest (KRCI), UGM will perform Armada robot. Next, in the legged-KCRI UGM will perform 1-DA. Meanwhile for Humanoid Soccer KRCI, UGM will present Alfarobi, while in the KRSI robot is Rosebir, which will perform Plate Dance from Minangkabau. "UGM is ready to perform in all divisions, both KRI, KRCI, and KRSI," Damar said.