Bandung – TEKNOFEST 2024 became a global stage of achievement for Aksantara ITB, a Student Activity Unit (UKM) at Institut Teknologi Bandung focused on developing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). This Student Activity Unit (UKM) provides a platform for students to advance in UAVs and their supporting technologies through research and competition.

This year, the Aksantara team represented Indonesia and ITB in the International UAV Competition, part of the TEKNOFEST festival held in Kahramanmaraş, Turkey. As Turkey’s first and largest aerospace and technology festival, TEKNOFEST is a collaboration of key organizations driving national technological development. The event featured seminars, exhibitions, and technology competitions from around the world.

The journey to TEKNOFEST was far from easy. Under the guidance of Mr. Ony Arfianto, Ph.D., the Aksantara ITB team dedicated nine months to designing, testing, and refining their UAV system.

The team, comprising students from various engineering disciplines, worked closely to overcome numerous challenges. Facing more than ten failed test flights, burnt electronic components, and difficulties in coordinating schedules among members from different faculties, the team demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination.

“More than ten times our aircraft crashed during test flights, and some electronics even caught fire. But with each failure, we learned and improved,” shared one team member.

On competition day, the atmosphere was filled with pressure and excitement. The team’s presentation to international judges proceeded smoothly, though their greatest challenge emerged during the flight demonstration. Despite connectivity issues, they successfully completed the flight.

“We felt proud and emotional to be the only team from Indonesia. It motivated us to give our best,” recalled another team member.

Beyond competing, sharing experiences with participants from various countries revealed that technical and logistical hurdles are universal experiences.

Aksantara ITB’s golden journey was supported by FTMD ITB. Facilities at the Maker Innovation Space, such as 3D printers and soldering stations, were instrumental in developing their Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) concept. The laboratory also served as a vital testing ground for refining their prototypes.

“Without these facilities, our preparations would have been much harder,” expressed a grateful team member.

TEKNOFEST 2024 was not only a stage for technical excellence but also a profound learning experience for the Aksantara ITB team. While they did not bring home a trophy, the journey offered invaluable life lessons.

From teamwork to operating under pressure, the challenges faced during the competition underscored the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and collaboration.

“We hope to continue contributing to aerospace technology. This spirit will not end here,” they concluded optimistically.

The struggle of Aksantara ITB proves that big dreams can be realized through hard work, collaboration, and unyielding determination. May this inspiration encourage other students and young generations to keep innovating for Indonesia.