Team POLAR

𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 We’re cooperating with Altair to analyze the airflow around our new rover, focusing on key parameters like local wind velocities, vortices, and the coefficient of pressure. This data is critical for determining if the rover can withstand the harsh Antarctic environment and optimizing its performance. To replicate Antarctic conditions, we run simulations with a wind speed of 35 m/s using a Detached Eddy Simulation turbulence model looking for: -  𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱: Identifying wind separation points or stagnation zones to ensure smooth airflow around the rover. -  𝗩𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀: Pinpointing where the boundary layer separates, leading to low-pressure wakes, and mitigating their effects. -  𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Visualizing the pressure across the rover’s surface to refine its aerodynamic design. These insights are key to ensuring the rover can handle extreme conditions while maintaining efficiency and reliability. We’re excited to keep cooperating with Altair while optimizing and pushing forward in our mission to explore one of the most challenging environments on Earth! #Engineering #Innovation #Antarctica #RoverDesign #Aerodynamics

Check out our second episode of our video series with TNO! 🔆 In this episode, we will take you along to our workshop, where Tim and Cas will show you our two prototypes: the Ice Cube and Mini Cube. You will also be taken to the Automotive Campus in Helmond, where our battery cell technology undergoes testing in a specialized climate chamber.

Our Newest Innovation: Airless Wheels with Solar Power To tackle the rugged Antarctic terrain, our mechanical engineers are designing 3D-printed airless wheels crafted from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), a highly flexible material providing a low ground pressure of 0.1 bar. This flexibility enhances robustness and allows us to experiment with different designs to achieve optimal deformation. By making the tire thin and adaptable, we can install larger rims, adding an impressive 0.8 m² of solar panel area across four wheels, boosting our energy generation on each expedition. #Engineering #Antarctica #TeamPolar

What an exciting moment for innovation in North Brabant! As a student team, we are incredibly grateful for the launch of BOOST. This initiative not only recognizes the power of student-led innovation but also provides the crucial support needed to bring ideas to life. Provincie Noord-Brabant's commitment to fostering student teams will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on both the region and the future of innovation. Thank you, BOOST, for making this all possible. Here’s to the next generation of changemakers!

Media Day at De Uithof Two weeks ago the marketing sub-team of Team Polar took a trip to De Uithof at Den Haag to create content for our socials. The team managed to take lots of videos and photos highlighting the amazing work done on the Ice Cube by our other sub-teams. The Ice Cube, our first prototype, laid the foundation for our current rover, aimed for completion in August 2025 and set to tackle the challenging Antarctic terrain by 2026. The Ice Cube represents a significant starting point in our development of autonomous systems and remote logistics, as it acts as the testing ground for the upgrades that will be applied to our newest rover and we’re excited to share our advancements with the wider world. Our team balanced the day with a mix of work and creativity, capturing footage that will highlight our collective effort and ambition. Stay tuned for upcoming posts that bring you behind the scenes of our journey towards groundbreaking explorations!

🚀 Non-Stop Progress on Shell Design! 🚀 Our Mechanical Subteam has been focused on creating an outer shell for our rover that meets the demands of Antarctic conditions and our technical requirements: Resistance to tip-over speeds of 35 m/s Solar panel surface area of 7m² Maximum weight of 60 kg Ground clearance Our engineers have run several simulations to identify and correct potential design flaws: Simulation 1: Identified large vortices caused by the front and back sides, as well as a flat backside panel that encourages airflow over the top—a non-viable solution. Simulation 2: Reduced wake with improved design but still generated significant turbulence. Simulation 3: Achieved controlled airflow with minimized wake, closer to our ideal aerodynamic profile. Our solar yield has reached an average of 550 W—around 1.5 times more than previous shells, partly due to the increased surface area. This updated design allows us to harness more solar energy while maintaining structural simplicity and durability. With the solar panel area requirement met and a design that’s manufacturable, we’re now making final adjustments to optimize compatibility with our other components. 🌬💡 Excited to keep pushing forward in our mission to build the best autonomous Antarctic rover! #TeamPolar #Innovation #Engineering #Autonomous #AntarcticResearch #SolarPower #ShellDesign

Last week, Team Polar had the exciting opportunity to visit the Clean2Antartica project, where we learned about their innovative Solar Voyager. This vehicle, constructed from recycled plastic and powered by solar energy, has been implemented in the icy landscapes of Antarctica. This project is a testament to what can be achieved with sustainability and innovation. Learning about the logistics of Antarctic expeditions and how extreme conditions are managed gave us invaluable insights as we continue developing our own autonomous rover for the continent. We were also inspired by Clean2Anywhere, a related initiative turning plastic waste into functional, 17th-century-style ships — a true display of creativity and circular economy principles in action. This visit left us motivated and better equipped to push the boundaries of sustainable exploration! #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Innovation #Clean

A big thank you to Wurth Elektronik, a global leader in electronic & electromechanical components, for powering our latest PCB designs with their top-notch products. Your commitment to quality and innovation helps us deliver reliable solutions, and we’re grateful for this support on our journey. Anticipating more successful projects ahead! #Würth #PCB #PCBdesign #Electronics

Excited to announce Team Polar of 2024/2025! This year our team consists of 41 motivated students from diverse backgrounds, representing 10 different academic majors and 14 nationalities. Together, we share a common mission to push the boundaries of autonomous technology in the challenging environment that is Antarctica. Over the past weeks we have been laying the groundwork for building our second sustainable, autonomous and affordable vehicle. Follow along as we shape the future of Antarctic exploration!

TNO has shared the first episode of our journey to Antarctica! ❄️ Stay tuned for more episodes as we test and refine the Ice Cube - our autonomous research vehicle - with support from TNO. Follow along as we work to make Antarctic research more sustainable, affordable and efficient! 🌍