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Team Polar: TU/E-students powering the future of Antarctic exploration right here in the Brainport region
Photography by: Team Polar
Imagine designing a vehicle that can survive in one of the most extreme places on Earth—battling bone-chilling temperatures, hurricane-force winds, and treacherous icy landscapes in potentially whiteout conditions. Sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, right? Well, for us at Team Polar, this is our reality.
We’re a group of passionate students from the Eindhoven University of Technology, working together to redefine what’s possible in Antarctica. Our mission? To revolutionize mobility and energy solutions in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
Why Antarctica?
Antarctica is a time capsule for Earth’s climate history and a critical key to understanding our future. But there’s a problem. Current research operations rely heavily on fuel-dependent transport methods that contribute to carbon emissions in an ecosystem where sustainable practices are critical. We believe there’s a better way.
At Team Polar, we’re proving that sustainable technology isn’t just for city streets—it can thrive even in the most unforgiving corners of the planet. If we can make clean energy work in Antarctica, we can make it work anywhere.
Meet Gentoo: our Next-Gen rover
Building on the lessons from our first prototype, the Ice Cube, we’re now rolling out our next big innovation: Gentoo – a fully autonomous, solar-powered rover designed to handle Antarctica’s brutal -40°C cold, 150 km/h extreme winds, and 100-meter-deep crevasses.
With cold-resistant batteries, airless 3D-printed wheels that generate solar power, and state-of-the-art navigation systems, Gentoo is designed to travel 1,000 km between research stations—without a drop of fossil fuel. It’s not just a step forward for sustainable Antarctic exploration; it’s a giant leap for green technology worldwide.
More than just a team - A community
Since launching in 2019, Team Polar has grown into a dynamic, diverse, and driven community. With expertise spanning industrial design, electrical engineering, and beyond – our strength lies in our different perspectives. Every challenge we face is tackled with creativity, collaboration, and an unstoppable drive to innovate.
