The Humanoid Robot Team of the Elins Research Club (ERC), Department of Computer Science and Electronics (DIKE), Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FMIPA UGM), won awards in three categories at the Humanoid Virtual Athletics Challenge (HVAC) 2026 in Japan on Tuesday (September 1).
The team won first place in the Athletics category, third place in the Sprint (Short-track) category, and third place in the Dance category.
The UGM humanoid robot team consists of 12 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students: Adi Sucipto (Computer Science doctoral program); Mohamad Nur Hidayat and Zaidan Hakim (Electronics and Instrumentation master’s program); Gracella Wiendy Koesnadi and Mahardika Ramadhana (Computer Science undergraduate program); Hizkia Imanuel Prasetya, Hanif Abinawa, and Muhammad Alfarizq (Electronics and Instrumentation undergraduate program); and Muhammad Yogga Aminullah, Ilham Refansya, Bernardinus Farel Radhitya P., and Adinda Vassya Muzahidin, all from the Electronics and Instrumentation undergraduate program.
Four faculty members supervised the team: Dr. Andi Dharmawan; Dr. techn. Aufaclav Zatu Kusuma Frisky; Oskar Natan; and M. Ridho Fuadin.
Team captain Hizkia Imanuel Prasetya explained that the competition used the Choreonoid simulation platform with two robots developed through the team’s research: the UGM ESR Robot and the UGM ESR V2 Robot.
Choreonoid is a simulation platform developed in Japan. The platform has limited information and tutorials, most of which are available only in Japanese, making it difficult for the team to understand fully.
“Despite these limitations, the UGM humanoid robot team managed to win several competition categories,” he said on Thursday (September 17).
In the competition, Hizkia operated the simulated robot in the Dance category, which was inspired by the traditional Balinese Kecak dance. At the end of the performance, he added tutting movements and a parody.
Judges scored the Dance category on foot movements, skill points, expression, choreography, and synchronization. According to Hizkia, the UGM ESR V2 Robot he operated during the competition had limited foot movements and briefly fell, resulting in a third-place finish.
“During the simulation, the robot fell, which reduced our points. The additional movements were also very simple and did not involve foot movements,” he said.
Adi Sucipto, another member of the UGM humanoid robot team, explained that the UGM ESR V2 Robot’s strength lies in the mathematical model the team developed based on input from their faculty supervisors.
The team tested various models before identifying what it considered the most effective model for controlling the robot, enabling it to perform better than other robots. As a result, the robot secured third place in the Sprint (Short-track) category with a time of 10.60 seconds.
“The right mathematical model can produce a robot simulation that more closely resembles human movement. The robot’s feet appear to float like those of a person running,” he said.
Adi also explained that the robot that won first place in the Athletics category was the only robot to successfully cross two obstacle sections, 1st Left and 2nd Left, outperforming the competing teams.
“In this category, we earned more points after completing two obstacles, while the other teams completed only one obstacle,” he said.
Bernardinus Farel Radhitya P., the robot designer, explained that the competition allowed the team to integrate robot simulation with programming. He developed the 3D design until it was ready for simulation within two months.
After completing the robot design, the team conducted numerous trials over about three months to develop it into the final robot and determine the appropriate formula.
Hizkia hopes the team will continue to achieve success in future competitions. He also hopes UGM will continue to support students involved in robotics research, both mentally and financially, so they can continue developing their work.
“The innovations we have developed through this competition can contribute to advancing robotics technology in Indonesia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hidayat expressed hope that the team would participate again if the competition is held next year. He said their first simulation competition could help them evaluate their performance and further develop their technical aspects.
“Since this was our first time participating in a simulation competition, we hope to participate again next year,” he concluded.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyananda
Photo: ERC Team Documentation