Manufactured by Venturi Automobiles, the joystick-controlled prototype seats five and can reach a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph) on snow tracks and 45 km/h (27 mph) on wheels. When fully developed, the electric vehicle will allow scientists to drive to research sites without any risk of contaminating the samples to be collected

Contamination is a huge concern, as even one additional molecule can threaten the integrity of a sample. Scientists typically cover the last 8 or 10 km (5 or 6 mi) to a research site by foot or on skis. This is where the the Venturi Antartica will help, say its engineers, by conveying them to the sample site risk-free.

"They need a vehicle that doesn't contaminate the soil and air – the area of study must be clean of human activities," Franck Baldet, a testing engineer with Venturi Automobiles tells Gizmag. "It's crucial to have the most virgin environment to be deeply studied."