The Challenge 

Unfortunately, researchers are currently constrained by the limited technology available on their vehicles. Those use fossil fuel, namely kerosene and they require human-input which means that food and water have to be transported. These, coupled with the long traveling distances, mount to great pollution and greatly increased cost. Moreover, driving in Antarctica is particularly dangerous as glaciers move frequently and the vehicles might fall in huge holes if not driven with caution.

The Solution

We remove the internal combustion engine, we take the human-factor out of the vehicle and instead, we use solar panels to power the engine and we use sensors and artificial intelligence for autonomous control. Thus, we use the continuous energy provided by the sun and self-driving capabilities to massively reduce the costs of traveling, while using a sustainable approach. Those solutions are implemented in the form of an Antarctic rover that can resist in the hostile environment of the Southern Pole.

The Mission

Team Polar aims to venture into the unexplored territories of the Antarctic with an autonomous and sustainable vehicle; enabling global accessibility of Antarctic research via a modular research platform, detecting new routes, and doing this all in an economical, safe and environmentally friendly way. In addition to these objectives, Team Polar intends to address environmental impacts on the Antarctic continent.

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