UNS — Students from the Mechanical Engineering Program at the Faculty of Engineering (FT) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta have once again achieved remarkable success on a national level. At the 2024 National Annual Machine Design Competition (Lomba Nasional Tahunan Rancang Bangun Mesin, or LNTRBM), held on October 2 at the Gamalama Ballroom in Hotel Bela Ternate, North Maluku, three teams from UNS secured prestigious awards. Organized by Khairun University, this competition drew teams from numerous universities across Indonesia. UNS’s three teams not only reached the finals but also won multiple awards for their innovative mobility aids, aligned with this year’s theme, “Mobility Aids for the Elderly.”
The twelve students, divided into three teams, brought home awards for First Place in LNTRBM 2024, First Place in Poster Design, and Best Detail Design. Team 1, consisting of Ibnu Naufal, Al Ferdinand Dwi Setyawan, Aldi Fahli Muzaqih, and Alfido Marchandi Faizatama, earned first place with their innovation, the “UpWalker Electric Wheelchair.” This device combines three core functions: a walker, a manual wheelchair, and an electric wheelchair operable via joystick, proving to be a practical mobility solution for elderly individuals with limited mobility.
Team 2, consisting of Muhammad Rezvan, Rian Firmanda, Vandim Unggul Aditya, and Wardiman Devany Rizky, achieved First Place in Poster Design. Their creation, the “Transfer Rolling Multifunctional Chair for Stroke Recovery (TROMS),” is a multifunctional mobility aid for stroke patients. TROMS features an IoT monitoring system that tracks patients’ heart rates in real time, ensuring both user safety and comfort.
Team 3, comprised of Adika Maja Alif Utama, Gigih Laksana Dewanda, Rendy Bramastya, and Zaenuri Al Hafiz, won the Best Detail Design category for their “Portable Stairlift for Wheelchairs with IoT.” This stairlift is designed to help wheelchairs navigate stairs using a motorized system and IoT technology for remote monitoring and control. Its adaptable design can accommodate various stair sizes and angles, making it highly functional.
Preparation for the competition began four months in advance, during which all three teams regularly met to discuss, research, and consult with their advisor, Prof. Ir. Ubaidillah, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., a member of the Indonesian Mechanical Engineering Cooperation Agency (Badan Kerja Sama Teknik Mesin Indonesia, or BKSTM). The selection process was rigorous, starting with proposal evaluations from hundreds of participants. After qualifying among the top 20, the UNS teams refined their designs and concepts further, culminating in live presentations before judges and an audience at the finals.
This experience was challenging for all teams, yet months of dedicated preparation paid off as they achieved multiple awards.
“We’re extremely grateful and proud to have won these awards. The journey wasn’t easy, but strong dedication and teamwork helped us give our best,” Gigih said, quoted by ft.uns.ac.id.
Beyond the competition experience, participating in LNTRBM 2024 allowed students to enhance their technical skills, develop problem-solving abilities, and expand their network within the field of mechanical engineering.
“This experience was incredibly valuable. Not only did we gain new knowledge, but we also built connections with students from other universities who share similar interests,” Gigih added.
The innovative devices designed by these students have also drawn special attention from UNS’s Faculty of Engineering. Their creations may be developed as final project topics and recognized as practical applications in engineering design courses. The faculty further hopes this achievement inspires other students to actively participate in innovative competitions at both national and international levels.
HUMAS UNS
