RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency is exploring cooperation with Diponegoro University (Undip) in developing research, technology, and innovation to support disaster management efforts. The cooperation initiative was discussed during a meeting with Undip’s academic community at the agency’s headquarters in Rawamangun, East Jakarta, on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

During the meeting, Undip Rector Suharnomo, introduced several student research projects and innovations considered to have strong potential in disaster response operations, including a hybrid insect robot designed for search and rescue missions.

The robot utilizes Madagascar cockroaches equipped with printed circuit board (PCB) devices featuring antennas, sensors, cameras capable of detecting humans and animals, thermal cameras, and a microcontroller system.

The device attached to the insect’s back is capable of transmitting visual data regarding terrain conditions or obstacles in narrow and low-light areas, such as collapsed buildings following earthquakes. In addition to moving naturally according to field conditions, the insect robot can also be automatically controlled to move forward or turn left and right.

Head of Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, Lieutenant General Suharyanto, directly observed a simulation and demonstration of the hybrid cockroach robot, which has received several international science awards. According to him, the student-developed innovation has strong potential for further development to support field operations.

Suharyanto said the agency would coordinate with Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) regarding opportunities to utilize the technology in Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, particularly in reaching collapsed areas that are difficult for humans or conventional equipment to access.

“Basically, the National Disaster Management Agency and Basarnas have interconnected duties. I will contact the head of Basarnas to discuss the utilization of this student innovation in search and rescue operations. If agreed upon later, we are ready to support it through funding,” Suharyanto said.

In addition to the hybrid robot, Undip also introduced other innovations, including a portable maternity chair and a nutritious complementary food product for infants called Nutri Sun D3.

The portable maternity chair was designed to support emergency childbirth services for disaster-affected communities, particularly in evacuation shelters or areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.

Meanwhile, the complementary food product was developed to support the nutritional needs of infants and toddlers in evacuation centers. Suharyanto said the nutritious product could help address food needs for babies, toddlers, and pregnant women in disaster-hit areas.

According to him, emergency food logistics during disaster response operations have so far been dominated by ready-to-eat meals for children and adults. “If the product later meets all requirements, it could be proposed for inclusion in the e-catalog of the agency’s Logistics and Equipment Division,” he said.

The meeting was part of efforts to strengthen collaboration between the disaster management agency and universities in promoting technological innovation for disaster response. Previously, Diponegoro University also contributed to post-disaster recovery efforts following Tropical Cyclone Seroja in Aceh in November 2025 by providing water treatment technology to produce clean drinking water.