Automotive Technology

Team POLAR

Developing a sustainable and autonomous rover to facilitate research in Antarctica

At Team Polar, a student-led initiative from TU Eindhoven, we aim to revolutionize Antarctic operations. Our mission? To create autonomous energy and mobility solutions that push the boundaries of technology in the harshest environment on Earth. With 42 students from diverse disciplines, we are currently developing our second-generation Antarctic rover: Gentoo.

Why the Southpole?

Antarctica, a critical region for understanding our planet鈥檚 climate history and future, faces severe environmental challenges. The logistics behind research operations still rely on kerosene-powered trucks and airplanes, contributing significantly to carbon emissions. Team Polar aims to change this narrative by pushing zero-emission mobility to meet the demands  Antarctica. By showing that sustainable technology can thrive in even the most extreme environment, we aim to pave the way for a greener future globally.

Team POLAR Gentoo
Team POLAR's Gentoo

Our Latest Rover: Gentoo

Building on the knowledge gained from building our first prototype, the Ice Cube, we have designed Gentoo, our next-generation rover. Gentoo is a solar-powered autonomous vehicle engineered to endure Antarctica鈥檚 -40掳C cold, 150 km/h katabatic winds and a 100-meter deep crevasses. Equipped with cold-resistant batteries, airless 3D-printed wheels that generate solar power, and autonomous navigation systems. The goal? To have Gentoo traverse a 1000 km fully autonomously between to Antarctic stations.

A Unified Goal

Since our founding in 2019, Team Polar has grown into a vibrant community of passionate students. With 13 nationalities and 10 academic disciplines, from industrial design to electrical engineering, we thrive on the diversity of perspectives within our team. This collaboration empowers us to tackle complex challenges, all driven by the same goal.

As we continue our mission with Gentoo, we invite you to join us in shaping a sustainable future. Follow our journey on , , or visit .

Team 2024 - 2025

With team manager Ignacio Becerra Osorio

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