Computer Engineering Department of ELECTICS ITS Showcases Innovations at Toyota’s Internal Exhibition

Image: Moments of the ITS Computer Engineering team explaining the i-Car, setting up the smart wheelchair, and visiting the Toyota factory after the exhibition.

Surabaya, ELECTICS ITS – The Computer Engineering Department of the Faculty of Intelligent Electrical and Informatics Technology (ELECTICS) at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) recently had the honor of participating in an exclusive exhibition held by Toyota at their headquarters. Alongside other prominent universities such as ITB, Telkom University, and Binus, the ITS Computer Engineering delegation showcased cutting-edge innovations that captured the attention of Toyota’s internal audience, from board members to staff.

The invitation extended to ITS was the result of a visit by Toyota representatives to the ITS campus. During this visit, Toyota showed great interest in various research projects and capstone projects developed by Computer Engineering students, especially those related to electric vehicle (EV) technology and assistive technology.

“We presented several student research topics that had already been published on our website, including the i-Car project developed by our faculty members and students. Some of these projects immediately caught Toyota’s interest,” said Dr. Diah Puspito Wulandari, S.T., M.Sc., Secretary of the Computer Engineering Department.

During the exhibition, the ITS Computer Engineering team showcased three standout innovations:

• Smart Wheelchair, A wheelchair controlled using head and hand gestures, utilizing pose recognition and physical computing technology.
• Drowsiness Detector Helmet, A smart helmet capable of detecting signs of drowsiness in motorcycle riders, offering a safety solution for two-wheeler drivers.
• i-Car (Intelligent Car), An autonomous smart car developed by the ITS robotics team, presented through a video demonstration.

“Their response was very positive, especially toward the smart wheelchair, which can support independence for people with disabilities. The drowsiness detection helmet also attracted attention because of its practical relevance to road safety,” added Dr. Arief Kurniawan, S.T., M.T., Head of the Computer Engineering Department.

Beyond showcasing innovations, the ITS team also initiated an industrial visit to Toyota’s factory. This activity enriched students’ understanding of real-world industrial practices and opened discussions about internship opportunities and potential long-term research collaborations.

Although no specific discussions about product commercialization have taken place yet, the exhibition marks an important initial step. Toyota used this forum to explore the potential of university graduates in Indonesia, including ITS, as part of their long-term strategy to develop EV technologies in the Southeast Asian region.

For the students involved, participating in the exhibition was a valuable experience. They not only showcased their work but also engaged in dialogue with students from other leading universities and witnessed how their research topics were appreciated by a global company.

“This was a great opportunity for benchmarking. Our students were able to observe the innovation standards at other universities, exchange ideas, and learn directly from the industry. The factory visit provided them with a clearer picture of real challenges and needs in the industrial world,” said Dr. Arief.

This exhibition proved that the research and innovations from ITS Computer Engineering students are not only academically strong but also relevant and highly applicable in the industry. It is hoped that collaborations like this will continue to grow into more strategic partnerships, including high-quality internship programs and direct recruitment opportunities with leading companies such as Toyota.

“We want to demonstrate to the industry that Computer Engineering sits at the intersection of electrical engineering and informatics. We equip our students with both hardware and software skills, preparing them to take on future technological challenges,” Dr. Diah concluded.