Indonesia Robot Contest (KRI) 2018 was officially opened by Rector of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) Dr. Ir. Gunawan Budiyanto, M.P., Chairman of the KRI committee Sri Atmaja P. Rosyidi, S.T., MSc.Eng., Ph.D., Special Assistant of Regional Secretary of DIY Dr. Ir. Didik Purwadi M.Ec., and Director of Student Affairs of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education Dr. Didin Wahidin, M.Pd. on Thursday (12/7) at Sportorium of UMY. The contest is expected to be a medium to develop robotics in Indonesia and an effort to encounter challenges of industrial revolution 4.0.

Due to this modern era, technology development demands creativity advancement, particularly in robotics. “The creative thinking triggers students to compete at the KRI 2018, and encourages robotic experts to evolve technology of robots to ease and boost human life. The KRI is also a learning medium to enhance education in Indonesia,” stated Didik Purwadi.

Didik told that KRI is an event to not only achieve victory but also give positive contribution to Indonesia. “Robotics development in Indonesia should be supported by advancement of other fields such as social and economic fields. For instance, we have to bear awareness that robots will not replace human life, but robots provide occasions to benefit people,” declared Didik.

Meanwhile, Didin Wahidin told that KRI should be a moment of science, learning, and technology development. “Students should be noble since characters should be a foundation of the technology development as Indonesian culture and identity aim to create good characters. KRI is learning for students to communicate and cooperate with other students in a team as well as to broaden network with other teams,” maintained Didin.

Didin believed that Indonesia identity will assist students, particularly winners of the KRI 2018 that will represent Indonesia in an international contest, to raise their global awareness. “I am sure that Indonesian students can compete and confront challenges as long as they realize that they have potential and are not inferior to participants from other countries,” he emphasized.

Didin also said that the KRI 2018 is a medium for participants to appreciate technology, education, and culture.