TEMPO.CO, Bandung - The Narantaka GMAT team from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, has won the national selection for the Kibo Robot Programming Challenge, an event organized by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
The team will now represent Indonesia in the international phase hosted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
"The competitors will be from university teams, especially in the Asia-Pacific region," said BRIN committee representative Fitri Nuraeni, in an interview with Tempo on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
In the challenge, student teams consisting of 3–5 members are tasked with developing programs for the Kibo module—‘Kibo’ meaning ‘hope’ in Japanese. The module includes two floating robots, the spherical Int-Ball and the cube-shaped Astrobee, both used by JAXA to support research activities aboard the International Space Station (ISS). These robots assist astronauts in tasks that are difficult to reach manually.
For the competition, however, participants face simulated challenges inside a virtual ISS environment. Each team must write a program that accurately moves the robot to specific positions and completes assigned tasks.
"The competition is designed to resemble a game of searching for something," Fitri explained. "The evaluation of the program results is entirely managed by the simulation system."
According to Fitri, 24 university teams applied to enter the national selection round. Only 11 made it through the initial screening, with participants coming from public and private universities across Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi. The final scores of the top three teams, she said, were extremely close.
Since BRIN began organizing Indonesia’s participation in 2020, local teams have consistently placed in the international top five. In addition to UGM in 2020 and 2025, a team from Yogyakarta State University (UNY) represented Indonesia from 2021 to 2024.
Fitri clarified that although the students’ programs will not be implemented in the actual Kibo module on the ISS, the competition provides valuable experience in designing accurate and error-free robotic programming. These skills can be transferred to other technologies, including telescopic control systems, automated radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, and electric vehicles.
First launched in 2012, the Kibo Robot Programming Challenge is part of an initiative by the Working Group on Space Environment Utilization under the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF). Indonesia has been actively involved from the start through Lapan, which is now integrated into BRIN.
In a written statement, Professor Erna Sri Adiningsih, Director of the Indonesian Space Agency at BRIN, praised the support from educational institutions in this year’s challenge. She highlighted the event’s role in nurturing future space scientists and engineers.
By continuing to participate, she added, Indonesia is helping young talent confront space technology challenges while contributing to the development of adaptive robotics capable of operating in harsh space environments.
"We hope that with the 6th Kibo RPC national selection, we can obtain the best candidates to represent Indonesia in the international selection phase and successfully achieve recognition in this competition," she said.
Editor's Choice: List of Best Sauces in the World and Here's Why
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Here Are the K9 Robot Prices Displayed at the Police's 79th Anniversary Parade
2 jam lalu
Indonesian police displayed K9 robots at their 79th anniversary celebration, with unit prices ranging from tens of millions to nearly Rp3 billion.
6 Countries Pioneering the Use of Humanoid Robots for Public and Industrial Use
3 jam lalu
The humanoid robots have been used by various countries with different tasks. Here are the countries that use humanoid robots.
ICW Criticizes Police Robot Procurement Amid Budget Efficiency Push
4 jam lalu
ICW has questioned the purpose and cost of Polri's planned purchase of police robots amid government budget cuts.
Police Begin Partnership with Robotics Company at Indo Defense 2025
5 jam lalu
President Director of PT Ezra Robotics Technology stated that the Indonesian National Police invited their company to participate in the Bhayangkara Anniversary when they met at the Indo Defence 2025 exhibition.
China Unveils Mosquito-Sized Robot for Military Use
2 hari lalu
The Chinese military is developing a nearly invisible, mosquito-sized robot for military operations.
Indonesian Police Clarify Humanoid Robots' Role: Interaction and Education
2 hari lalu
The Police's General Inspector of Public Supervision, Inspector General Dedi Prasetyo, explained that each robot serves a distinct purpose.
The Use of Robots in Indonesian Police Force: A Technological Advancement
2 hari lalu
The use of robots is said to be part of the Indonesian National Police's commitment to adopting modern technological advancements.
Bekasi's Foggy Phenomenon, This is What BMKG and BRIN Say
2 hari lalu
The foggy phenomenon in Bekasi and its surroundings is explained by the BMKG and BRIN as a weather impact, not pollution.
Indonesian Police Showcase Humanoid Robot on Their 79th Anniversary
3 hari lalu
The robot force is claimed to assist the police in dealing with frequent street brawls in Jakarta.
UGM Researchers Discover 7 New Freshwater Lobster Species in West Papua
4 hari lalu
The seven new species of freshwater lobster were found in several remote locations across Misool, Kaimana, Fakfak, and Bintuni Bay.
