UNS — Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta crafted another achievement at the international level. This time the bright achievement was accomplished by three programs collaboration, midwifery, medical science, and mechanical engineering. The team won a gold medal in the World Young Inventors Exhibition category in International Invention, Innovation, and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) Malaysia, Monday (14/2/2022).
The team members consisted of Hafida Salsabila, Tri Rahmaji, Sukmo Utomo Abdillah Amin, Muzakiya Lailatul Karima, Hasna Fatin Hanifah, Muhammad Dzaky Musyaffa, Muhana Fawwazy Ilyas, Muhammad Dzaki Darmawan, Inas Nuha Mumtazah, Hanifah Fathimatuzzahrah, Gading Nasywaa Aji Azzahra, Shastri Cahyaningtyas, and Hidayat Fatahillah. The team was supervised by Dr. Revi Gama Hatta Novika, SST., M.Kes and Ubaidillah, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. Revi Gama Hatta Novika, SST., M.Kes, stated that the product prototype was funded by MBKM Grant and supported by the National Research and Innovation Center (BRIN) Indonesia in the product development stage. The product was named Effleurage Robot, a pain-relieving innovation for mothers experiencing labor contractions or before labor.
Dr. Revi discussed the idea with Ubaidillah, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., Rufidah Maulina, SST., M.Sc, Siti Nurhidayati, S.S.T., M.Keb, and Nurul Jannatul Wahidah, S.ST., M.Kes, and her students. The idea came from the Covid-19 condition, which prevented the soon-to-be-mother from having her family member accompany her and provided effleurage massages to reduce her muscle pain. “During the Covid-19 condition, (she) needs something to replace those family members’ role,” Dr. Revi explained on Thursday (24/2/2022).
Effleurage Robot is a chair robot that provides effleurage massage with strong, medium, and soft settings on pregnant women’s hips to reduce labor pain. The robot also reduces the work of people accompanying a mother in labor and is equipped with adjustable features that can be used when walking, sitting, and lying down. The study on Effleurage Robot effectiveness was implemented in Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Hospital for a pregnant woman in 1st stage labor. The research showed significantly reduced pain, showing high effectiveness for stage 1 labor.
Hafida Salsabila, the student coordinator, stated that she obtained lots of experiences and learned from her participation in the grant. The innovation was also submitted for Student Creativity Program (PKM), International essay competition, and MBKM Grant before finally winning the current competition in the Tertiary School category with Biotechnology and Health subtheme. She added that the midwifery and medical science students could prepare the idea of such a robot, but they need help from mechanical engineering to create such innovation. “Thus, the assembly process runs well and creates a usable tool,” she added on Thursday (24/2/2022).
The competition was held by the Malaysian Invention & Design Society (MINDS) in 1989 and was participated by students from various countries. ITEX is a platform for researchers to introduce their innovations and finding to the business community. It is always participated by universities, research institutes, individual researchers, young researchers, and companies. Humas UNS
Reporter: Rangga Pangestu Adji
Editor: Dwi Hastuti
