Modultrax: Solution to the Distribution of Goods in Indonesia’s Remote Regions
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id— Bismo Jelantik, M.Ds., a lecturer from ITB FAD (Faculty of Arts and Design), exhibited his innovation Modultrax (Modular Utility Transport – All Terrain). This invention is a utility vehicle that can operate in all terrains and create based on the need to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to Indonesia’s remote regions as well as to solve the nation’s problem regarding the distribution of goods to secluded areas. Accompanied by the development of the modular power generation ecosystem that has yet to distribute fuel, Bismo sees this idea as an opportunity to work with the automotive component industries despite their declining sales due to the pandemic.
At the start of 2021, Bismo began concepting and designing the Modultrax using 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) technology. He partnered up with PT Ganding Toolsindo to use the CNC Bending Pipe and 3D Scan for improving the accuracy of the results. The initial target of the project was creating the design, but he ended up completing the prototype as well. "A prototype is essential in conducting a trial."
The frame of Modultrax is designed to have a modular cargo system that is attachable to other tools like farming equipment, transport racks, and more. The product itself is an electric vehicle powered by a battery. Its modular design makes it possible to extend its resources according to its needs. After testing, the first Modultrax prototype can cover 50 km.
Bismo explained that manufacturing the Modultrax involves multiple scientific principles. Collaborations done in this project push him to learn to study fields outside his own, such as industrial manufacturing standards.
"Experiences like this are helpful for researchers,” Bismo added. “They can be passed down to students as teaching materials."
The vehicle’s design is 100% locally made with 75% of its components constructed from local goods; the project is committed to the country’s local ecosystem in hopes of the next production using solely local components.
*The Modultrax at the Exhibition of the Government Goods/Services Procurement by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia
The design of the Modultrax has already been filed for its IPR. Moreover, its 1st-phase prototype is currently under trial. The frame for the next prototype is ready albeit not being assembled yet. Previously, the Modultrax had been displayed in three exhibitions, one of which was the Exhibition of the Government Goods and Services Procurement that was held in Jakarta and organized by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia. Bismo said that many parties are interested in his innovation; however, it cannot be ordered because it has not been registered to the e-catalog. Therefore, he wishes for sooner mass production of the Modultrax.
*The Dean of ITB FAD, Dr. Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara, drove the Modultrax on the ITB campus. (Photo: ITB FAD Documentation)
Bismo has a great interest in transportation and is often involved in projects that require its assembly. In 2002, he produced SIGAP- the plantation vehicle- as his final undergraduate thesis. Due to his passion for this field, he hopes that the design, industry, business, and technology of the Modultrax will be academically useful for ITB and Indonesia. He also advised students to collaborate more frequently with friends from other study streams and ponder more about Indonesia’s future as an independent nation in terms of technology and industry.
Reporter: Hanan Fadhilah Ramadhani (Civil Engineering, 2019)
Translator: Ruth Nathania (Environmental Engineering, 2019)
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