Jakarta – The Daraka Laghava team from the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) won first place in the Aircraft Innovation Competition, part of the annual Mechanical & Marine Engineering National Exposition (MMENE) 2024. The event, hosted by the University of Indonesia (UI), carried the theme “Save Energy, Save Lives,” aiming to promote eco-friendly technology in support of the country’s carbon emission reduction targets.

The team, composed of Fawwaz Athar Suandhito, Novian Akbar, and Axel Wicaksana—Mechanical Engineering students from ITB’s Class of 2022—impressed the judges with their innovative Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for firefighting.

The Daraka Laghava team’s main innovation was a UAV specifically designed to tackle fires in densely populated areas or hard-to-reach locations. The UAV is equipped with carbon dioxide balls as its fire suppression medium. Its transwing technology enables the UAV to transform from Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) mode to fixed-wing mode, allowing faster response times and improved landing efficiency in limited spaces.

In addition to addressing the real needs in Indonesia, the team introduced other key features, such as AI-based intelligent systems for navigation, pathfinding, and precision targeting with aim-assist for dropping carbon dioxide balls. To maximize energy efficiency, they incorporated energy harvesting technology by utilizing wind and solar power, reducing battery dependency.

The UAV’s energy system was upgraded with solar and wind energy integration, generated by BLDC motors during descent and air braking. This energy is managed through electrical modules like rectifiers, MPPT, and converters. The system is supported by a Battery Management System (BMS) with advanced features such as temperature monitoring and a dual-battery system. All components were tested using MATLAB/Simulink simulations to ensure optimal performance.

During the competition, the team faced various challenges, including a tight academic schedule and limited budget. However, through hard work and dedication, they overcame these obstacles. Before the final presentation, they frequently consulted professors and peers to ensure their ideas were relevant to the competition theme and to anticipate potential weaknesses.

Their efforts paid off. In the final round at Universitas Indonesia (UI) Depok, the team presented their concept to a panel of distinguished judges from academia and industry. Their presentation captivated the judges, earning them the first-place title. The team also won an additional award for Best Infographics Poster. For their achievements, the team received a total prize of IDR 5 million, consisting of IDR 4.5 million for 1st place and IDR 500,000 for the Best Infographics Poster award.

Behind this victory was the strong support of ITB’s Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FTMD). Facilities like the Maker Innovation Space and prototype workshop facilitated their work on the UAV. Additionally, consultations with professors after class helped refine the project, despite the absence of an official advisor. This support gave the team the freedom to maximize their creativity and perfect their innovation.

This achievement demonstrates that collaboration, dedication, and innovation are key to overcoming future technological challenges. The Daraka Laghava team not only brought pride to ITB but also offered a real-world solution to global problems through environmentally friendly UAV technology.