Over 100 IPB research projects await patents

BOGOR: Of 140 research projects at the Bogor Agriculture Institute (IPB) that are registered for a patent, only 15 have received one, while the rest remain on the waiting list, researcher Indra Jaya said Thursday.

Indra was speaking at a discussion of the underwater robot at IPB's School of Marine and Agricultural Studies. The robot, developeded by researchers at the school, has been used by the Thousand Islands' Agriculture and Marine Agency for monitoring fish pens 45 meters beneath the surface of the ocean.

"The robot we've been developing since 2008 is an ROV *Remote Operating Vehicle*, and we call it underwater exploring robot RJ 45. The number refers to the depth it can explore," said Indra.

He added the robot was developed in cooperation with the Thousand Islands agency.

He said RJ 45 was still awaiting a patent, much like 11 other research instruments.

Of these 11, six have been registered at the patent office since 2003, but the team has yet to receive any news on the patents. - JP