History

The International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems (ISTVS) was founded in 1962 at the request of the General Assembly of the First International Conference on the Mechanics of Soil-Vehicle Systems held in Turin, Italy. The motivation behind this was to acquire and advance knowledge of the mechanics of terrain-vehicle systems and machinery interacting with soils in all environments.

Four decades after its founding, the ISTVS meets the new challenges of the 21st century. 

It is generally agreed that the field of terrain-vehicle (machine) systems is an engineering/applied science discipline. Consequently it must have a strong focus on practical applications. The vitality of the discipline and of the ISTVS depends to a great extent on its ability to contribute to the advancement of knowledge that would lead to improvements in engineering practice or to innovations that industry needs. Any thriving professional body in the engineering/applied science field has the support and participation of the industry and related user community that it is supposed to serve.

It should be pointed out that off-road vehicles, earthmoving and construction equipment, agricultural and forestry machinery and related industries have been and will continue to be of great importance to the global economy. Consequently, the ISTVS can play a significant role in the future development of these industries and hence the world economy.