International Debut, ITS RIVAL Team Wins Best Rookie Team in Australia

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The AEROVAL rover robot from the ITS RIVAL Team while operating in the lunar exploration simulation terrain at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) at the University of Adelaide, Australia
The AEROVAL rover robot from the ITS RIVAL Team while operating in the lunar exploration simulation terrain at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) at the University of Adelaide, Australia

ITS Campus, ITS News — The ITS suVa go internationAL (RIVAL) Robot research team from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) recorded a new history with its international debut at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) held at the University of Adelaide, Australia for five days which ended last Sunday (29/3). This inaugural onsite participation successfully led the ITS RIVAL Team to win the 2026 Best Rookie Team award.

This prestigious competition brought together 18 student teams from various countries to test the capabilities of semi-autonomous rover vehicles in a lunar exploration mission simulation. The ITS RIVAL Team presented AEROVAL, a research rover robot that became an important milestone as well as the team’s direct debut in the global arena.

In the final round, there were four missions that had to be completed by the participating teams. The ITS RIVAL Team recorded a score of 17.7 points on the Space Resource mission; 69.4 points on Post Landing; 54.0 points on Excavation & Construction; and 29.43 points on Mapping & Autonomous. The total achievement of 251.9 points placed this young ITS team in 6th rank, with an impressive record in the form of obtaining the highest points on the third day of the competition.

The ITS RIVAL Team while coordinating competition preparations at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) at the University of Adelaide, Australia
The ITS RIVAL Team while coordinating competition preparations at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) at the University of Adelaide, Australia

The uniqueness of AEROVAL lies in its four-wheel differential system with a rocker-bogie suspension, which makes this rover capable of maintaining balance when crossing extreme surfaces. This mechanism resembles space exploration vehicles designed to move on sandy and uneven terrain, so that AEROVAL remains tough even when facing difficult field conditions.

In addition, AEROVAL is equipped with a robotic arm to perform various tasks, as well as a layered control system that combines STM32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers at the basic level with an MSI Cubi 5 mini PC for advanced control. Its navigation system is reinforced by an Intel RealSense D3455 camera and Velodyne LiDAR, with a total of five cameras placed at strategic points. With this support, the operator can monitor the Rover’s movement in real-time just like controlling a vehicle from a distance.

Display of the five-camera system on the AEROVAL rover robot belonging to the ITS RIVAL Team used to support navigation during the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh)
Display of the five-camera system on the AEROVAL rover robot belonging to the ITS RIVAL Team used to support navigation during the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh)

One of the mechanics of the ITS RIVAL Team, Andreas Agung Servia Pintarta, revealed that this competition became a valuable experience for future technology development. “From the technical side, various obstacles during the competition will become evaluation material so that the robot system can be improved more optimally,” explained the student of the ITS Electrical Engineering Department.

Despite facing a number of challenges as the first team from Indonesia to appear directly in this event, ITS RIVAL was able to show good cohesiveness and improvisation. The long preparation and adjustments made ahead of the competition became important provisions for the team to continue performing optimally in the arena.

The ITS RIVAL Team successfully won the 2026 Best Rookie Team award at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) at the University of Adelaide, Australia
The ITS RIVAL Team successfully won the 2026 Best Rookie Team award at the 2026 Australian Rover Challenge (ARCh) at the University of Adelaide, Australia

The Head of the Non-Technical Division of the ITS RIVAL Team, Karina Maheswari, also conveyed her hope that the team can consistently penetrate global competitions. “ITS RIVAL is one of the youngest robotic teams on campus, the challenge is big. The hope is to be able to expand and achieve the main championship,” asserted this optimistic student of the ITS Biology Department.

This inaugural participation of the ITS RIVAL Team not only carved an achievement, but also strengthened ITS’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically the goal on point 9 regarding Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as well as point 4 regarding Quality Education. (ITS Public Relations)

 

Reporter: Iffah Najwa Ulya

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