Jakarta, INTI - The Faculty of Engineering at Diponegoro University once again achieved an international milestone after the Rotect Team won the Gold Medal – Asia Youth Innovation Awards at the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2026.
The Malaysia Technology Expo is an international innovation competition organized by the Malaysian Association of Research Scientists (MARS), held on April 9–10, 2026, at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event brought together hundreds of teams from various countries to showcase their latest technological innovations.
The team, consisting of Muhammad Faizul Kirom, Mega Adinda Ramadhani, Helmi Yusuf, Verrill Varian Jaya Kusuma, Septhian Kallolangi, Hasna Fadhilah Aulia, and Nicholas David Marsen, presented an innovation titled “ROACH-DETECT: Cyborg Cockroach-Based System for Victim Detection in Disaster Ruins Using Edge Computing for SAR Operations.”
Biohybrid Cockroach Technology for Disaster Rescue
Kirom explained that the innovation was inspired by the team’s concern over disaster victims who are often difficult for rescue teams to reach.
To address this challenge, the team utilized Madagascar hissing cockroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa) equipped with electronic modules to function as tracking agents in disaster zones.
“Our team developed a biohybrid approach by using Madagascar Hissing cockroaches as a natural mobility platform. Search dogs often cannot access very narrow spaces, so we explored a smaller biological solution capable of locating victims beneath rubble,” he explained.
He added that the electronic module contains a programmed microcontroller capable of directing the cockroach’s movement while also detecting victims through human body temperature patterns. The detection data is then transmitted to a monitoring platform accessible to search and rescue teams.
“In this system, the cockroach is equipped with a microcontroller-based electronic backpack that functions as the control and data processing center. We can also direct the cockroach using electrical stimuli to guide it through disaster debris,” Kirom said.
Gold Medal Achievement at MTE 2026
Kirom admitted that the team did not expect to win the Gold Award through this innovation and expressed gratitude for the recognition received from the judges.
“We are truly happy and grateful to receive the Gold Award at MTE, especially considering the intense competition with participants from many countries. This achievement was honestly beyond our expectations,” he stated.
Following the competition, the team hopes to continue refining the innovation so it can eventually be implemented in real-world disaster response operations.
“Our hope is that this innovation will not stop at the competition stage, but continue to be improved and eventually applied in practical situations to benefit society,” he concluded.
Conclusion
The Rotect Team’s achievement at MTE 2026 highlights the growing potential of Indonesian innovation in robotics and disaster-response technology, while demonstrating how biohybrid systems can contribute to more effective future search and rescue operations.
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