Researchers on field studies in the South Pole used to be resupplied by airdrops — but budgetary concerns have made the National Science Foundation begin to resupply by land. However vehicular land travel is risky: tears in the ice can collapse around a supply tractor, resulting in damage to the environment and the NSF's resources. But an elegant solution six years in the making is finally ready for primetime — a robot named the Yeti Polar Rover has begun its journeys on the Antarctic ice. Ars Technica reports on how the Yeti will be able to help researchers in the field.