TNO continues to support Team Polar in 2025
Team Polar, a group of students from Eindhoven University of Technology, is setup for a major challenge. Since 2024 they are developing an autonomous vehicle to make research at the South Pole more sustainable, affordable and efficient. TNO supports the team by sharing knowlegde of technology and innovation. Find out what their next steps are in 2025 on the Road to Antarctica.
The Road to Antarctica
Climate change is threatening our future. To face this crisis head on, we need to understand how climate change works. This can only be achieved by doing research in unspoilt places like Antarctica and the North Pole. Unfortunately, current research is inefficient and expensive because of scientists’ reliance on large vehicles that run on kerosene. Also, 80% of Antarctica hasn’t been explored yet because of the dangerous terrain there. Imagine walking across ice fields in temperatures of -40 degrees Celsius with wind speeds of 185 km per hour…
The success depends on the students pushing the boundaries of existing technology. This aligns perfectly with TNO’s core mission, which is why TNO is committed to supporting the team by sharing its knowledge about a number of technologies, including:
- Autonomous driving
- Solar panels
- Batteries for cars
The students have access to various TNO-labs and facilities, like climate chambers in which temperatures can be dropped down to well below zero.
The Ice Cube Research Rover
Team Polar first developed the Ice Cube Research Rover. The Rover is solar-powered, which will reduce emissions and minimise the research footprint.
Road to Antarctica #1: Testing solar panels in de snow
Do you want to see how the team tested solar panels in the snow? Watch the first episode of The Road to Antarctica.
Road to Antarctica #2: The Rover
The Rover will not drive without its power. How low can the temperature go? The team tested the battery competence in a climate chamber.
Team Polar unveils enhanced next-gen sustainable vehicle: Gentoo
In 2025 Team Polar consists of 42 motivated students from diverse backgrounds, representing 10 different academic majors and 14 nationalities. Over the past weeks Team Polar has been laying the groundwork for building the second sustainable, autonomous and affordable vehicle; Gentoo.
The Ice Cube represents a significant starting point in Team Polar’s development of autonomous systems and remote logistics, serving as the testing ground for the upgrades that will be applied to their newest rover. The Gentoo rover, named after the Antarctic penguin species, is Team Polar's second-generation autonomous vehicle designed for polar exploration. Aimed for completion in August 2025, Gentoo is set to tackle the challenging 1,100 km Antarctic terrain by 2026.
In order to complete this mission, it has been designed to be able to withstand extreme conditions. Some numbers:
- 300 kg mass
- 6 m² of solar panels
- 24/7 operation with a mean operating speed of 2 km/h
- Operational down to -40 °C
- Withstanding 35 m/s katabatic winds
Curious how Team Polar will proceed its journey in 2025? Follow their adventures via Youtube.>
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Magnus Moore
Functie:Business DeveloperMy name is Magnus Moore and I work as a Business Developer in the Mobility and Built Environment Department of TNO. My ambition is to help governments and organisations work together to design and realize a safe and sustainable transportation environment in Europe and beyond.
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Standplaats:Den Haag - New Babylon
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Email:Email Magnus
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