UNS – A team of three students from the Faculty of Engineering (FT) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta achieved international recognition at the Asia Technology University Network (ATU-NET) Sustainability Challenge 2024. The prestigious competition took place at Telkom University, Bandung, from November 11 to 15, 2024.

Competing against participants from various countries, the FT UNS team earned accolades for their innovative solution, SLINGO—a communication aid designed to assist individuals with speech and hearing impairments. Their project, titled “SLINGO: Adaptive ANN-module Sign Language Translation Glove with Mobile App Integration Output and Eco-Friendly Conductive Carbon Materials,” secured third place in this event.

The ATU-NET Sustainability Challenge is a highly regarded competition that invites students to develop sustainable solutions across different fields. The multidisciplinary UNS team, consisting of Fachrizal Ihsan Anugerah Akbar from the Electrical Engineering program, Maxvallecia Frikandy from Civil Engineering, and Werna Ramadhan from Chemical Engineering, advanced to the final round after passing several selection stages. Their innovation, SLINGO, is a sign language translation tool that offers an inclusive solution for people with disabilities.

Speaking to uns.ac.id, Fachrizal, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the team, explained his role in leading the Research and Development division, website development, and product maintenance. The eco-friendly materials were designed by Werna, the Chief Manufacturing Officer (CMO), who also oversaw quality assurance. For market analysis and business strategy, Maxvallecia, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), focused on Key Performance Indicators (KPI) and market validation. The future sustainability of SLINGO’s business model was developed using the Business Model Canvas (BMC) approach and comprehensive financial analyses.

SLINGO is integrated with a website that not only provides product information but also features a sign language dictionary. The innovation supports sustainability by using biodegradable, eco-friendly materials, specifically processed from sugarcane waste and palm shell fibers.

The solution impressed the judges by addressing social inclusion for people with disabilities while promoting environmentally friendly production methods. “We are very proud of this achievement, especially since we competed against outstanding teams from various universities. Showcasing our work on an international stage was an invaluable opportunity,” Werna, a team representative from UNS, said.

Fachrizal elaborated on the technical aspects, stating that the device employs advanced technology to translate sign language into text or voice, facilitating easier and more inclusive communication in various settings.

Maxvallecia expressed hope that their achievement would inspire other students at FT UNS. “We hope that more teams from UNS will continue to excel and bring sustainable innovations to a global level in the future,” he stated.

The SLINGO innovation by the FT UNS team is a testament to collaboration and perseverance in delivering inclusive solutions for sustainability. With this accomplishment, UNS once again proves its commitment to creating impactful innovations for society.

The innovation presented at the ATU-NET Sustainability Challenge 2024 aligns with multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3, which ensures healthy lives and promotes well-being for all. It also supports SDG 9, focusing on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Additionally, by providing equitable access for individuals with disabilities, this innovation contributes to achieving SDG 10, aimed at reducing inequalities.

HUMAS UNS