SHAH ALAM, December 3rd – The University Robot Competition is a renowned competition dedicated to the research and development of robots. It was introduced in 2010 as MuROC and later rebranded as U-ROCK. The initial participation of undergraduate students from UiTM in this competition was under the guidance of Dr. Mohd Hafiz Bin Mohd Noh, along with three Master of Science in Aviation Management students, namely Muhammad Ashraf Zhafry Bin Nor Azri, Mohd Fitri Reza Bin Mohd Noor, and Muhammad Firdaus Bin Zakaria.
The competition featured 20 teams representing various academic institutions, including higher education institutions (public and private), skill institutes, polytechnics, and teacher training centres. Only four teams with the highest scores qualified for the final stage of the competition. The contest evaluated the drone’s ability to pass obstacles, land safely, and deliver items and the time taken to accomplish these tasks.
Competition is the best form of motivation.
UiTM’s College of Engineering Studies strives to produce graduates proficient in theoretical knowledge and practical skills. In line with this objective, the college’s senior management is cognizant of the financial requirements needed to achieve these aspirations. With the financial allocation from the Postgraduate Program Trust Fund, the UiTM team has successfully produced a complete multirotor drone that meets the specifications and conditions of the competition.
The production process of this drone applies theoretical knowledge to practical skills in aerodynamics, propulsion systems, frame construction (structure), material selection, navigation control, cost management, and payload integration.
Furthermore, UiTM’s College of Engineering Studies aims to become an aerospace and aviation industry leader. To achieve this, the college has established research groups such as Tier-4 Flight Technology & Test (FTT) and specialized academic programs, including the Master of Science in Aviation Management Engineering under Mechanical Engineering Studies.
The UiTM team’s success in producing drones resulted from the collaboration between FTT research group members, researchers and teaching staff of the undergraduate program. The college is committed to researching Blended Wing-Body (BWB) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) as a starting point to achieve this goal. It is hoped that this team’s success will inspire students and industry players to develop the drone industry further to a higher level.
