Bandung – The Rakavana Team from the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Institut Teknologi Bandung (FTMD ITB) achieved an outstanding accomplishment by securing the Runner-Up position at DERRICK 2024 – Mechanical Essay Competition. This competition was organized by Politeknik Energi dan Mineral (PEM) Akamigas and took place from September to November 2024. With the overarching theme of “Rapid Energy Optimization in the Oil and Gas Industry with Artificial Intelligence Technology Based on Blue Economy and Sustainable Energy,” the competition served as a platform for students to present innovations that are both relevant and impactful.

The Rakavana Team is composed of three Mechanical Engineering students from the Class of 2022: Fawwaz Athar Suandhito as Team Leader, Frenaldi Sam Faidiban, and Gravin Hotasi Zakharia. The trio impressed the panel of judges with their innovative idea titled “Solar Powered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with Integration of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Solutions in Oil Spill Response.”

Their concept focuses on developing a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This innovation is designed to provide a sustainable solution for addressing oil spills in the ocean — a critical issue that often harms marine ecosystems and disrupts coastal economies. With its technology-driven and sustainability-oriented approach, the idea was recognized for its potential to tackle real-world challenges in both the energy and environmental sectors.

However, the journey to success was not an easy one. Amidst the demanding schedule of their fifth semester, packed with practical sessions and exams, the team remained committed to completing their project. One of the team members, Gravin, even went the extra mile by taking a machine learning class at another faculty to deepen his understanding of the concepts needed to support their project development. This commitment reflects the high level of dedication the team demonstrated throughout the competition.

The success of the Rakavana Team was also made possible thanks to the full support provided by FTMD ITB. The faculty provided financial assistance, mentoring sessions, and access to facilities at the Production Engineering Laboratory, which served as the primary venue for developing and finalizing their project. This institutional support played a key role in helping the team achieve outstanding results in the competition.

Team Leader Fawwaz Athar Suandhito expressed that the experience they gained from the competition was far more valuable than simply winning a title.
“Winning or losing comes second. What matters most is the experience and knowledge we’ve gained. Don’t be afraid to fail, because having the courage to try is the first step toward success,” he said.

This achievement demonstrates that hard work, dedication, and the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone are essential keys to success. Through collaboration and clear role distribution, Team Rakavana successfully maximized each member’s potential to produce an extraordinary innovation.

The DERRICK 2024 competition itself is an annual event that brings together young talents from various educational institutions to create innovative solutions for the oil and gas sector. With this achievement, Team Rakavana has not only made FTMD ITB proud but also inspired other students to dare to dream big and face challenges with enthusiasm.

The success of Team Rakavana at DERRICK 2024 serves as tangible proof that technology-based innovations can make a significant impact in addressing global challenges, particularly in the energy and environmental sectors. Let us extend our highest appreciation to Team Rakavana, and may they continue to achieve even greater accomplishments in the future.