Overcoming the Limits of Antarctic Exploration with Technology, Successful Real-Time Remote Data Collection Even in Extreme Environments

 

- KOPRI, KIOST, and KIRO to validate a smart observation system for extreme environments

 

 The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister Kang Do-hyung) announced that it has successfully completed the field demonstration of a Korea-developed smart observation system for extreme environments in Antarctica.

 

 Although the poles are thousands of kilometers away from Korea, scientific observation and research are very important because changes in the poles affect our daily lives and safety, such as cold waves from the Arctic and rising sea levels. Due to extreme cold several degrees below zero, polar nights, and dangerous terrain, however, it was not easy to make continuous observation and real-time data collection; researchers had to rely on a method of personally visiting the location once a year to check equipment and collect data manually.

 

 To overcome these limitations, MOF, Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), and Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) have jointly carried out the project on the Development of Cooperative Mobile Systems for Extreme Environment Exploration since 2021 and successfully conducted the field validation of the smart observation system for extreme environments.

 

 The system consists of five observation points, autonomous robots, control center, and IoT-based wireless communication network. It is designed to collect data autonomously even in extreme environments and transmit it in real time to a base several kilometers away. In particular, a robot that integrates technologies tailored for polar environments—such as high-resolution ground radar and low-temperature power management system—detects and avoids crevasses (cracks in glaciers) hidden by snow and inspects observatories.

 

 The research teams led by Dr. Lee Ju-han of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), Dr. Baek Seung-jae of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST), and Dr. Choi Young-ho of the Korea Institute of Robotics & Technology Convergence (KIRO) jointly conducted field demonstration for about two months at the Antarctic Jang Bogo Station in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 to verify the performance of the system. The result showed that the system stably transmitted data at a speed of over 10 megabits per second (Mbps) to a distance of up to 50 km even in an environment below -50℃ and smoothly performed various observation and inspection missions without a hitch even when three or more robots operated simultaneously. This demonstration confirmed that data can be reliably secured throughout the year, even without people going there in person.

 

 Moreover, the research team disclosed that the system's components were designated as standards for the data collection system in extreme conditions by the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA) late last year in recognition of their reliability and scalability.

 

 he collected data were linked to the Polar Research Institute's polar big data platform and will be gradually released to the public. The Korea Polar Research Institute seeks to enhance the system to expand its use to the Antarctic King Sejong Science Station, Arctic research bases, and Antarctic interior, industrialize related technologies, and utilize them in international joint explorations.

 

 “This demonstration has verified the autonomous operation of the integrated observation system in extreme environments that people have difficulty accessing. We will continue to provide related support to enable safer and more stable research in extreme environments,” Minister Kang Do-hyung said.