The Richie robot team from the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Surabaya has secured two international awards at the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Robocon 2026 competition held in Hong Kong. The team, which had earlier claimed the national championship, returned with the Best Idea Award and the ROHM Award, highlighting Indonesia’s growing strength in student robotics.
Team leader Muhammad Najmi Ihsan, a Mechanical Engineering student at ITS, explained that the squad fielded two robots featuring distinct mechanical innovations. The first robot used a three-axis arm mechanism, while the second employed a forklift-like system designed to lift the “Kung Fu Scroll,” the central object of the competition theme. Both systems were constructed from stainless steel measuring 0.8 millimetres in thickness, chosen for its strength and precision under competition conditions.
Najmi noted that the team introduced several upgrades after winning the national-level ABU Indonesia Robot Contest (KRAI) 2026 in July. The most significant improvements focused on the robots’ communication system, which now relies on QR code technology for more reliable coordination between the two machines. In addition, the team developed an automated programme capable of detecting and handling fallen boxes during the match, reducing the need for manual intervention and increasing overall efficiency.
“These two innovations helped us win the Best Idea Award,” Najmi said in a written statement released on Tuesday, 1 September 2026. The Best Idea Award recognises creative and effective engineering solutions that go beyond basic task completion.
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The second accolade, the ROHM Award, was linked to the team’s use of electronic components supplied by ROHM Semiconductor, one of the official sponsors of ABU Robocon 2026. ROHM devices accounted for approximately 10 per cent of the total components integrated into the ITS robots. The award acknowledges effective and innovative application of the sponsor’s technology in a competitive setting.
Beyond the trophies, Najmi emphasised the educational value of the international experience. Knowledge-sharing sessions at the event allowed the Indonesian team to exchange insights on robotics, programming and mechanical design with participants from across the Asia-Pacific region. He described the exposure as invaluable for the team’s long-term development.
The ITS Richie Team earned the right to represent Indonesia by retaining the first-place title at the ABU Indonesia Robot Contest (KRAI) 2026, which forms part of the broader Indonesian Robot Contest (KRI) 2026. The national competition is organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology through the Indonesian Talent Development Center (BPTI). Success at the national level is a prerequisite for participation in the regional ABU Robocon, widely regarded as one of the most prestigious student robotics contests in the Asia-Pacific.
ABU Robocon evaluates more than technical sophistication. Teams must also demonstrate strategic thinking, precise execution and the ability to adapt under time pressure while adhering to detailed match rules. The 2026 edition in Hong Kong continued this tradition, drawing strong entries from universities across the region.
The dual awards for ITS come at a time when Indonesian higher education institutions are increasingly visible on the international robotics stage. Other Indonesian teams have also recorded notable results in recent regional competitions, reflecting sustained investment in engineering education, student research and competitive platforms that bridge classroom learning with real-world problem-solving.
For the Richie team, the Hong Kong results validate months of design iteration, testing and refinement. The combination of mechanical innovation, improved communication systems and targeted use of sponsor components proved decisive in securing both the Best Idea and ROHM awards. The experience is expected to inform future projects at ITS and contribute to the broader development of robotics talent in Indonesia.
As student robotics competitions continue to grow in complexity and international participation, achievements such as those recorded by the ITS Richie team underscore the importance of structured national selection processes and institutional support for engineering students. The two awards from ABU Robocon 2026 add to Indonesia’s expanding record of success in regional technology contests and provide a platform for further advancement in the years ahead.
