The Biomass and Bioproduct Research Centre (PRBB) of the National\nResearch and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in collaboration with Universitas\nNurtanio (UNNUR) Bandung, has developed two unmanned aerial vehicle\n(UAV) prototypes: a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV and a\nQuadcopter UAV.<\/p>\n
Both prototypes are lightweight unmanned aerial vehicles. The UAV\nVTOL utilises abaca fibre and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) fibre\ncomposites, enhanced with EFB activated carbon, while the Quadcopter UAV\nuses epoxy material combined with abacal fibre and bamboo activated\ncarbon.<\/p>\n
This development was revealed by Lies Banowati, a lecturer in\nAerospace Engineering and Vice Rector I at Universitas Nurtanio, during\nthe Nanotechnology and Materials Research Organisation (ORNM) Talk and\nExpo 2026 held at the B.J. Habibie Science and Technology Park in\nSerpong.<\/p>\n
\u201cUNNUR is conducting collaborative research with BRIN, developing a\nUAV VTOL prototype with a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 5.5 kg, made\nfrom biomass fibres. Additionally, we are developing a Quadcopter drone\nwith an MTOW of 3 kg,\u201d said Lies.<\/p>\n
According to her, one of the advantages of the UAV VTOL and\nquadcopter lies in their lightweight structure. Their weight is\nrelatively lower compared to other unmanned aerial vehicles that use\nplastic or metal materials.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on test results, abaca fibre has a relatively low density of\napproximately 1 gram per cm\u00b3. This value is lower than carbon fibre at\n2.2 grams per cm\u00b3 and aluminium at 3.8 grams per cm\u00b3, making abaca fibre\nsuitable for lightweight UAV structural applications,\u201d Lies\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Lies noted that during tensile testing, the abaca fibre\nused in the Quadcopter demonstrated a strength of approximately 111.5\nMPa. Consequently, this fibre can serve as an alternative material to\nreplace conventional materials and can increase the Domestic Component\nLevel (TKDN).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to prioritise TKDN through the utilisation of biomass\nmaterials that are abundant in Indonesia. However, this potential has\nnot yet been optimally utilised,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
The UAV VTOL and quadcopter have various potential uses, particularly\nin the agricultural and plantation sectors. These vehicles can be used\nto map and identify pests, as well as measure soil moisture levels.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese prototypes can be used for mapping and spraying pesticides, as\nwell as monitoring soil moisture, which is highly beneficial for\nstakeholders looking to develop plantations or establish agricultural\ncompanies,\u201d Lies explained.<\/p>\n
She continued that the UAV VTOL and quadcopter are not limited to\nmapping agricultural land. They can also be utilised to distribute\nmedicines to disaster-affected areas that are difficult to reach by\nconventional vehicles.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can design them to drop medicines and lightweight medical\nequipment to disaster-stricken areas. In the future, we also plan to\ndevelop them to detect the extent of the Lembang fault in Bandung,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Nidya Chitraning, a Senior Researcher at PRBB, stated that the UAV\nVTOL is equipped with a camera and all systems are functioning well. The\nUAV Fixed Wing has undergone ground testing, and the next step is flight\ntesting at Sulaiman Airbase in Bandung, while the Quadcopter has been\ntested and is capable of flying well. Both the UAV VTOL and Quadcopter\nhave a range of between 10 to 15 km, supported by lithium polymer (LiPo)\nbatteries.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have conducted trials using UAV prototypes with different\nwingspans. With LiPo batteries, the UAV can travel approximately 10\nkilometres. Meanwhile, using LiPo batteries with an operational capacity\nof up to one hour allows the UAV to travel more than 15 kilometres,\u201d\nNidya revealed.<\/p>\n
Nidya explained that the development of UAVs using natural\nfibre-based composite materials holds great potential for Indonesia. The\nabundant availability of biomass can be used as raw material to produce\nhigh-value-added materials.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe hope is that these prototypes can proceed to the downstreaming\nstage. Indonesia possesses abundant biomass that has the potential to be\ndeveloped into materials with higher added value,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Regarding intellectual property protection, Nidya mentioned that the\nbiomass-based UAV VTOL has been registered for a patent. Meanwhile, the\nUAV quadcopter obtained its patent in 2026. She hopes both technologies\nwill continue to be developed and utilised more widely, including by the\nindustrial sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cBRIN is open to collaborating with various parties. This technology\nis ready for further development according to specific needs,\u201d she\nadded.<\/p>\n
The collaboration between UNNUR and BRIN provides a significant\nimpact for both parties. Lies stated that besides benefiting the UNNUR\nstudents involved, the collaboration can also improve the university\u2019s\naccreditation.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently, UNNUR is moving towards becoming an impactful campus,\nwhere outputs are not just journals or patents, but must include\nprototypes ready for downstreaming. We hope to collaborate in the field\nof biomass with the industrial world in the future,\u201d concluded Lies.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-successfully-develops-drones-without-plastic-or-metal-components-1788616415", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }