"We have recorded 86 teams who participated in the KRI and KRCI contests, coming from 22 higher learning institutes in Central Java and Yogyakarta," Regional III Central Java-Yogyakarta KRI and KRCI committee chairman Ahmad Zaenul Fanani said.

He noted that the teams had been short listed to 66, and later 58, who would then compete with their robots at Jatidiri Sports Stadium in Semarang on April 28 and 29. One team, however, had withdrawn while another was disqualified.

The contests offered four categories, one for the Indonesia Robot Contest (KRI) and three for the Indonesia Smart Robot Contest (KCRI), which are robots with legs, robots with wheels and human-like robots.

"These were the first KRI and KCRI contests held in Semarang, Central Java, with Dian Nuswantoro University as the host. The contests have always been held in Yogyakarta," he said.

He said the contests were aimed at boosting students' creativity in the fields of science and technology, especially regarding robots. "The winners will represent Central Java and Yogyakarta at the national contest," he said.

Among the universities taking part in the contest are state Gajahmada University in Yogyakarta, state Yogyakarta University, state Semarang University, state Diponegoro university and Islam University of Sultan Agung in Semarang.

Laila Nurhidayati, a participant from Robo Green from Semarang University, said her team sent six robots, including three for KRI and one for KRCI.

Bachtiar Chandra Permana from Gajahmada University said a robot with legs cost about Rp30 million to build. "We sent a team consisting of 60 members to participate in four categories, but only seven took part in the wheeled robot contest," he said.