ITB’s Mechanical Engineering Student Wins 1st Place Nationally with Eco-Friendly Drone Innovation for Wildlife Conservation
By Syabina Er Said - Mahasiswa Teknik Dirgantara, 2020
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id — Gravin Hotasi Zakharia, a 2022 Mechanical Engineering student at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), claimed 1st place in the SolidWorks Design Competition “Mechanical Engineering Battle (ME-B) 2025”, organized by Universitas Pertamina. This national-level competition focused on engineering design innovation under the theme “Sustainable Mobility” and is widely participated in by universities across Indonesia.
Gravin impressed the panel of judges with his innovative project titled: “LAIKA: Solar-Powered Joined Wing UAV with Tricopter VTOL Capability for Wildlife Conservation.” This innovation offers a smart and sustainable solution for monitoring wildlife conservation areas in Indonesia using solar-powered drones, aiming to replace conventional helicopters, which are often inefficient and environmentally unfriendly.
The LAIKA design integrates several cutting-edge technologies:
• Joined wing configuration to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and increase the effective surface area for solar panel installation;
• Tricopter VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing), which enables maneuverability in difficult terrain without the need for long runways;
• Integrated photovoltaic (PV) cells, allowing extended flight duration without relying on fossil fuels;
• LAIKA supports conservation efforts by integrating high-resolution cameras for real-time wildlife monitoring and documentation.
This solution addresses the operational needs of field conservation and significantly reduces carbon emissions, aligning with the vision of sustainable transportation and environmental preservation.
The competition involved several rigorous selection stages, from the submission of initial sketches to animation simulations and the final technical presentation. Participants were required to demonstrate proficiency in SolidWorks software, using it to design, test, and visually present their concepts. Judging criteria included originality, functionality, software feature utilization, and the effectiveness of the design in addressing real-world challenges.
Gravin secured the top ranking thanks to his strong technical detailing, presentation skills, and the potential environmental impact of his innovation.
In a statement, Gravin shared that his motivation stemmed from concerns over high emissions from conventional transportation and the urgency of protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity. “Technology should be part of the solution, not a new source of problems,” Gravin said during an interview at the Shared Workspace (Ruang Kerja Bersama, RKB) of the Faculty of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (FMAE) on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Translator: Nabila Puspita (Bioengineering, 2022)
