KRTI 2024 was held at the Gading Wonosari Airfield, Mount Kidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta, with Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY) as the host. The competition was attended by many prominent universities, such as Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Universitas Indonesia (UI), Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS), Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP), and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS).

The Leader of Aksantara TD, Alfiedo Aryaputra Pongrante, revealed that for this year, Aksantara came up with an innovation in disaster management. Aksantara introduced a hybrid technology that combines the functions of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and a docking station into one unit. This docking station uses solar power, enabling it to automatically recharge its power without external plugs. This solution was specifically designed for disaster management, such as medical aid delivery and mapping of disaster-affected areas.

The Aksantara Team began preparations in March 2024. One team member, Hafizhan Fakhrul Hidayatullah, said that assembling the components was a challenge, but the team's hard work finally paid off in the end.

"Initially, we developed our innovation separately, so every team member focused on their own part that had been conceptualized from the beginning. During area selection, most of the components were already completed. We then started assembling them while also demonstrating and presenting them in front of the juries," explained Fakhrul.

He added that the solar-powered docking station is particularly important because it reduces dependence on electricity, making it more practical in times of disaster.

The team's success was inseparable from the guidance of its supervisor, Dr. Yazdi Ibrahim Jenie, S.T., M.T. According to Fakhrul, Dr. Yazdi provided the team with crucial inputs during the preparation phase. He was also really enthusiastic about Aksantara's projects. "He always checked on the development and was very attentive to our progress and problems," stated Fakhrul.

Aksantara is proud of this achievement, confident that its innovation is a cut above the rest in the competition. "We are delighted that our concept is very influential and different from that of other teams. With good intercomponent integration, we can create a robust solution to disaster management," continued Fakhrul.

Going forward, the Aksantara Team aims to improve interteam coordination and pay attention to small details in all stages of development. Aksantara's participation at KRTI 2024 not only showed its excellence in technological innovation but also its commitment to providing relevant UAV solutions for Indonesia, especially with regards to disaster management.

Reporter: Helga Evangelina (Agricultural Engineering '21)
Indonesian Editor: Anggun Nindita
Translator: Ariq Ramadhan Teruna (Chemical Engineering '21)
English Editor: Anggi Nurdiani (Management, 2024)