Pulau Pinang, 14 December 2023 – Electrical Engineering Studies (PKE) Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang (UiTMCPP) achieved a remarkable feat at the National Instruments Autonomous Robotics Competition (NI ARC) 2024, held at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Engineering Campus. Competing against 13 top teams from universities across Malaysia, UiTM’s teams secured an impressive third (Electralite) and fourth (Byte Bandits) place, solidifying the institution’s growing presence in the robotics arena.
This year’s theme, “Robots in Search and Rescue: Blaze Buster,” focused on addressing the critical challenge of forest fires. Teams were tasked with designing and building innovative robots capable of navigating uneven terrain, maneuvering around obstacles, rescuing simulated victims, and extinguishing fires with pinpoint accuracy. The competition also emphasized resource allocation strategies and adaptability, reflecting real-world firefighting scenarios.
Co-hosted by NI Malaysia and USM, the competition brought together teams from leading institutions, including UKM (Aimbot, RoboMinds), UTM (AIROST, Sigma), UniMAP (ATOM, RECONFIGO), USM (Autobots, Nicotes, Robo Buddies, USM F4), and IIUM (IIUM Roboteam). Over nine months, participating teams worked through a series of rigorous milestones to qualify for the finals.
UiTM was represented by two exceptional teams: Electralite (Adib Irfan Hakeem, Rabiatul Adawiyah, Nur Raihah and Nur Zulaika Izzati) and Byte Bandits (Afif Luqmanulhakim, Muhammad Ashraf, Nurul Syazwina and Nur Amirah Husna), both guided by a supervisory panel comprising Associate Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Azlan Othman, Associate Prof. Ir. Dr. Nor Salwa Damanhuri, Dr. Rozan Boudville and Dr. Belinda. The students demonstrated exceptional creativity, teamwork, and technical skills, developing robots that excelled in navigation, victim rescue, and firefighting strategies.
During the finals, both teams delivered outstanding performances. Electralite emerged as a strong contender, earning third place with its precise and efficient robot design. Byte Bandits followed closely, securing fourth place with a highly consistent and strategic approach.
This remarkable success highlights UiTMCPP’s dedication to nurturing talent in robotics and fostering innovation among students. Participation in NI ARC2024 not only provided valuable hands-on experience but also underscored UiTM’s ability to compete alongside top-tier universities in Malaysia.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to UiTMCPP’s top management, supervisors, and all supporters for their guidance and encouragement throughout the competition. The students’ achievements are a testament to their hard work, creativity, and resilience.
As UiTM looks forward to NI ARC2025, the institution is determined to continue pushing boundaries and achieving even greater heights in autonomous robotics.