Universitas Indonesia (UI) with the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) and PT Luwes Innovation Mandini launched the Shallow Water Mapper (SWM) application, the first software application made by children of nation to adopt Satellite Derived Bathymetry (SDB) technology. The innovation, which is supported by the Education Fund Management Institute (LPDP) through the Productive Innovative Research Competition Program (RISPRO), was launched on Thursday (14/3), in Bogor.
Deputy Chancellor for Research and Innovation, drg. Nurtami, Ph.D., Sp, OF(K) said that SWM is a collaboration between universities, government institutions, and the private sector in the downstreaming and development of innovative technology. “This collaboration not only shows the synergy between academic knowledge and practical needs in overcoming the nation’s problems but also strengthens the foundation for accelerating sustainable development in Indonesia,” said Drg. Nurtami.
The SWM project is chaired by Lecturer in the Department of Geography, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences UI, Dr. Eng. Masita Dwi Mandini Manessa. She emphasized the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in facing complex geospatial challenges. This innovation combines expertise in geography, geospatial information technology, and marine resource management. It is hoped that SWM innovation can support various aspects of national development, which will have an impact on scientific and technological progress and improve the quality of life in society.
SWM is designed with integrated SDB technology so that coastal bathymetry mapping at a semi-detailed scale can be more efficient, fast, accurate, and cost-effective without dependence on field surveys. Bathymetry can be interpreted as measuring and mapping the topography of the seabed. Information on sea depth (bathymetry) in waters is very important in space utilization activities in coastal areas. Therefore, this innovation can give an economical solution for updating important bathymetric information for coastal development planning, marine resource management, and improving maritime security and navigation.
SWM offers several advanced features, including direct access to satellite imagery, extraction of accurate bathymetric data, and data processing through machine learning algorithms. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9 application can now be operated with the government and private sector as the main target users.
The development of SWM opens up great opportunities for Indonesia to carry out continuous improvement and increase capacity in geospatial technology. Future challenges in developing this innovation are ensuring that downstream aspects run according to plan, increasing user awareness, expanding the capacity to use SDB technology, and updating data.
The SWM application launch event was also attended by the Head of the Geospatial Information Agency, Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Muh Aris Marfai, S.Si, M.Sc.; LPDP Main Director, Andin Hadiyanto, S.E., M.A., Ph.D.; Head of BRIN, Laksana Tri Handoko; Commander of the Indonesian Navy Hydro-Oceanographic Center (Danpushidrosal), Vice Admiral TNI Budi Purwanto; Director General of Sea Transportation, Dr. Capt. Antoni Arif Priadi, M.Sc.; Director of DISTP UI, Ahmad Gamal, S.Ars., MUP, Ph.D.; and Dean of FMIPA UI, Prof. Dede Djuhana, M.Si., Ph.D.
