How rugged technology helped explorers in the Antarctic

Rugged tech helps you stay connected in the remotest of areas
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How rugged technology helped explorers in the Antarctic

Continental Antarctica is one of the most remote and unexplored areas on Earth. The conditions are so extreme that there is no life. In fact, it’s usually compared with Mars and that's what makes it a unique environment to carry out scientific research.

These special conditions are the reason why a Spanish science team spent 52 days in Antarctica and toured 2358 KM, carrying out ten scientific projects with the aid of rugged technology.  They demonstrated that their project “Trineo de Viento”, is the most appropriate transportation to carry out scientific campaigns in this area, due to its lower cost and zero environmental impact, and they knew that rugged technology could help them overcome obstacles and natural challenges and them help stay connected even in the most remote areas.

A Multifaceted Expedition

The expedition was unique because it is very difficult to access the area both logistically and economically. For this reason, the Spanish scientific team worked for various universities and projects in different fields such as biology, glaciology, meteorology, telecommunications, space science, detection of life in extreme conditions and on other planets, and the environment. They were collecting data in an area where there is very little known about the region. In fact, this expedition was the first time that the European Space Agency (ESA) has been able to collect data on the operation of all the satellites of the Galileo constellation in Antarctica.

Explorers also worked for The University of Main (USA), where they collected snow and ice samples for the study of climate change in the region; for the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and the Agencia Estatal de Metereología (AEMET), they studied the dispersal and colonisation capacity of microorganisms in polar areas, linked to climate change; and also projects for many others, such as the Universidad de Valencia.

Rugged Technology Proves its Worth

The team led by Ramón Ignacio Oficialdegui, Hilo Moreno and Manuel Olivera had great responsibility. Collecting all the data safely and staying connected during the expedition was essential. That is why they trusted in the TOUGHBOOK 20 and TOUGHBOOK M1 for the expedition. Both are designed to withstand water, dust and extreme temperatures, and are ideal for the Antarctic conditions – the devices kept working even at -43,6 F.

The TOUGHBOOK 20 and TOUGHPAD M1 accompanied the four scientists throughout their journey, which visited remote locations such as the Russian base of Novolazarevskaya, the Fuji dome, known as one of the ten coldest places on earth and Plateau Base, the north American scientific base. Without a doubt the cold, the altitude, the pressure changes and the wind were a constant challenge for the explorers, but they understood how the right rugged technology could help them to gather all the information and stay connected.

This expedition in the most remote place on earth is proof of how rugged technology can help to face natural challenges and achieve goals. And TOUGHBOOK devices are used to contribute to improve our society at many levels, not only in the research area, but also in the security field, collaborating with Guam Fire Department to Improve Efficiency, Patient Care, and with Poudre Fire among others.  The contribution to healthcare is really important as well and there are many applications. In short, the uses that TOUGHBOOK devices have are unlimited, imagination is the only limit, so let’s dream, let’s make the world better together!

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