Robogo, an Innovative Sewer Robot Developed by Computer Engineering Students of ITS

Surabaya, ELECTICS ITS – Clogged sewer channels are often the cause of local flooding in urban areas, including Surabaya. Unfortunately, the narrow and enclosed structure of these sewers makes it difficult for workers to directly inspect the source of the blockage. Addressing this issue, three students from the Department of Computer Engineering at ITS created an innovative robotic solution called Robogo (short for Robot Gorong-Gorong, or Sewer Robot) to help identify blockages more efficiently.

The Robogo project was initiated by Zhafarullah Ahmad, commonly known as Aaf, along with his two teammates, Rigel Ramadhani Waloni and Rezky Dwisantika Pujiastuti. This idea was developed as an iteration of their seniors’ earlier project named Bobogo (Bot Gorong-Gorong). While Bobogo relied solely on water flow to move, Robogo was redesigned into an amphibious robot that can be manually controlled via remote.

“In the previous version, the robot moved by following the water current. Now, Robogo can be controlled to move forward, backward, turn left or right, and even rotate 360 degrees, making its movement much more flexible,” explained Aaf, who served as the team leader and was responsible for the robot’s mechanical design.

This innovation originated from a sixth-semester course called Telematics Project, which requires students to develop a prototype that provides real-world benefits. Initially, the robot was designed to resemble a boat. However, after receiving feedback from lecturers, the team modified it into an amphibious model capable of operating both on land and in water. The robot’s body was made using a 3D printer and tested directly in the field. “The process involved multiple failures. Some parts broke, some didn’t fit properly—we had to fix and reprint them over and over again. But through that, we learned a lot,” shared Aaf.

Beyond its improved mobility, Robogo is equipped with a live video streaming system that enables real-time monitoring of sewer conditions. Additionally, the robot transmits crucial data such as its coordinates, orientation, speed, and obstacle detection using ultrasonic sensors. With this dual system, the collected data becomes more accurate, allowing field teams to respond more precisely to problem areas.

All funding for Robogo’s development came from the team’s personal expenses, as the project was part of a mandatory course. Limited funding meant that the robot’s body had to be made from 3D-printed material, which lacks durability.

“We hope Robogo can be further developed with better funding support so that it can truly be used intuitively and provide real benefits for the community,” said Aaf.

At present, Robogo is not yet ready for mass deployment. Further improvements are needed in material strength, sensor precision, and operational usability to ensure optimal field performance. Nevertheless, this project has paved the way for future innovations and serves as an inspiration for younger students to continue its development in the coming years.