UNS – The Bengawan Unmanned Vehicle (UV) team from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has once again achieved international recognition. Their success brings pride to Indonesia on the international stage. The team secured second place in the International Roboboat Competition (IRC) 2025. The event took place at Nathan Benderson Park, Florida, USA, from March 3-9, 2025. It featured top teams worldwide competing in the development of autonomous robotic boat technology.
Challenging Missions in IRC 2025
The competition adopted the theme “The Guardians of Water,” challenging teams to test their robotic boats in various aquatic scenarios. Six main missions assessed the boats’ navigation accuracy, speed, and technological efficiency. They were:
- Navigation Channel
- Mapping Migration Pattern
- Treacherous Water
- Race Against Pollution
- Rescue Deliveries
- Return to Home
The judges evaluated each team based on mission execution, technological innovation, competitive strategy, and boat design efficiency.
Bengawan UV’s Journey to the Finals
The competition began with a team orientation on the first day, followed by a safety inspection on the second day. Bengawan UV passed all safety standards and immediately advanced to the first two missions. Those were the Navigation Channel and Mapping Migration Pattern.
By the third day, the team strengthened its position by completing three additional missions. There were Speed Challenge, Docking, and Rescue Deliveries. These successes secured their place in the semifinals, where competition intensified as teams faced increasingly complex challenges.
On the fifth and sixth days, the team encountered fierce competitors in the semifinals. However, Bengawan UV’s well-planned strategies and precise execution allowed them to advance to the final round. The final stage presented major obstacles. It includes:
- A cracked hull at the boat’s rear
- A malfunctioning controller for ball delivery
- Disruptions in the main step-down propulsion system
Despite these setbacks, Bengawan UV demonstrated exceptional teamwork and quick problem-solving. These strengths enabled them to overcome challenges and secure second place in the global Autonomy Challenge category.
A Milestone Achievement for Bengawan UV
Securing second place in this prestigious international competition marks a significant milestone for Bengawan UV and UNS. This achievement demonstrates the university’s ability to compete with the world’s leading maritime innovators.
“This victory is one of our highest achievements. It represents our finest results, and with this accomplishment, we hope to continue breaking new boundaries,” Al Faruq said. He is the General Manager of Bengawan UV 2025 and a Mechanical Engineering student from the 2022 batch. He stated as quoted from ft.uns.ac.id on Tuesday (18/3/2025).
The team successfully met its objectives by completing all missions. This success highlights their strategies, research, and innovation, proving their effectiveness in global competitions. Motivated by this achievement, Bengawan UV aims to develop even more advanced autonomous robotic boats in the coming years. They commit to enhancing Indonesia’s reputation in maritime technology on the global stage.
Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This achievement aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Encouraging advancements in robotic technology for sustainable infrastructure.
- SDG 14: Life Below Water – Promoting marine conservation and efficient oceanic resource management through robotic boat technology.
Bengawan UV remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of autonomous maritime technology through continuous innovation. At the same time, the team proudly represents Indonesia on the global stage.
HUMAS UNS
