WINTER 2023

This term marked the beginning of active development for POLARIS.

On the mechanical side, the team conducted CONCEPT SELECTION for several major subsystems, including the KEEL, HULL, WING SAIL AND TRIM TAB FOIL SHAPE, and RUDDER ACTUATION SYSTEM. These decisions were supported by analytical work and design exploration. The team carried out KEEL AND DECK OPTIMIZATION VIA SIMULATION, alongside broader STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS to evaluate SAIL STABILITY to understand aerodynamic behaviour, as well as SAIL AND RUDDER WIND TUNNEL TESTING. Parallel to these, the team began HULL CONSTRUCTION PLANNING and PRELIMINARY MANUFACTURING PLANNING, laying the groundwork for the transition from concept design to physical production.

The electrical team contributed by developing a WHITE BOX DESIGN, outlining the internal architecture of the vessel’s electronic systems, and also established an early TESTING FRAMEWORK, enabling systematic validation of electronic systems.

On the software side, the team focused on building the project’s digital foundation through REPOSITORY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SETUP. This was complemented by RESEARCH AND INITIAL DESIGNS for the autonomy and control systems that would eventually guide the vessel.