The International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems (ISTVS) proudly recognizes Prof. Corina Sandu as a newly elected ISTVS Fellow for her outstanding contributions to terramechanics, off-road vehicle dynamics, and long-standing service to the society. Prof. Sandu’s pioneering research, leadership in education, and decades of dedicated involvement have advanced the global understanding of vehicle–terrain interaction and inspired a new generation of engineers in the field.
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Sept 25, 2025 | NATC | Technical Underpinnings for Ground Vehicle Critical Mobility Elements
NEVADA AUTOMOTIVE TEST CENTER (NATC)
Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) is a recognized leader in developmental and production tire testing for both commercial and military vehicle platforms, supported by a dedicated tire testing division. A long-time supporter of the ISTVS conference, NATC will present a talk focused on the critical mobility factors that influence ground vehicle performance. NATC website: https://natc-ht.com/
Read MoreAug 15, 2025 | Dr. Bohumir Jelinek | Discrete Element Method simulations for vehicle mobility in soft soils
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
This talk will present simulations for vehicle mobility in deformable soils using Discrete Element Method (DEM) performed at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University. Results of the DEM simulations using coarse-scale DEM soil models to predict tractive performance of a wheel in deformable soils will be shown and compared with published experimental data and empirical relationships.
Read MoreTerrain Measurement and Mobility Metrics Working Group
The ISTVS Board of Directors (BOD) invites researchers to apply for funding to support research & development activities where members will make a contribution in areas important to the domain of terrain-vehicle systems and terramechanics. Funding provided under the Small Research Grants program of ISTVS is not meant to cover the complete cost of a research project, but to be complementary to already existing funding of the proposers. The awarded funding under the program should be used to facilitate collaboration between multiple institutions such that real, tangible progress can be made on the chosen topic for the benefit of ISTVS.
Read MoreJuly 16, 2025 | Dr. James Hambleton | Odyssey from geomechanics to terra-robotics, and from rural Wisconsin to Cambridge
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Terramechanics and geomechanics are rarely considered early career paths. This talk traces the speaker’s journey from structural engineering to terramechanics, highlighting connections between fields and key project insights. It also details the path to securing an NSF CAREER Award and offers guidance for aspiring engineers and researchers. Terramechanics, focused on terrain–machine interaction, is vital for advancing autonomous systems in construction, mining, agriculture, and mobility.
Read MoreISTVS Small Research Grants - Call for Proposals
The ISTVS Board of Directors (BOD) invites researchers to apply for funding to support research & development activities where members will make a contribution in areas important to the domain of terrain-vehicle systems and terramechanics. Funding provided under the Small Research Grants program of ISTVS is not meant to cover the complete cost of a research project, but to be complementary to already existing funding of the proposers. The awarded funding under the program should be used to facilitate collaboration between multiple institutions such that real, tangible progress can be made on the chosen topic for the benefit of ISTVS.
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Summary - ISTVS/ISU Symposium on Terramechanics in Agricultural Soil-Vehicle Systems
The ISTVS/ISU Symposium on Terramechanics in Agricultural Soil-Vehicle Systems was held on May 21, 2025, at Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa. Organized by the International Society for Terrain-Vehicle Systems (ISTVS) in collaboration with ISU, the symposium aimed to enhance awareness of ISTVS as an international society in the field of vehicle-terrain systems. The event targeted undergraduate and graduate students interested in off-road vehicle systems, engineers in the agriculture and construction equipment industries, tire and track manufacturers, digital technology developers, and farmers.
Read MoreMay 27, 2025 | Philip Price, PhD | Sensor Simulations in support of Autonomous Ground Vehicle M&S tools
MOBILITY SYSTEMS BRANCH, ERDC, U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
This talk will discuss the importance of sensors to autonomous ground vehicle mobility and some of the challenges involved in accurately modeling these sensors to provide useful data in modeling and simulation tools.
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Virginia Tech Student Chapter at STEM outreach event talking about off-road vehicles and terramechanics
ISTVS Student Chapter at Virginia Tech at STEM Outreach at Christiansburg Elementary
ISTVS Student Chapter at Virginia Tech at STEM Outreach event!!
Read MoreISTVS/ISU Symposium on Terramechanics in Agricultural Soil-Vehicle Systems
The ISTVS/ISU Symposium 2025 on Terramechanics in Agricultural Soil - Vehicle Systems at ISU, Ames, Iowa aims engage undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in off-road vehicle systems, engineers in the private industry in agriculture and construction equipment manufacturers, tire and track manufacturers for agriculture and construction machines, digital technology developers for these industries and farmers on Agricultural Soil-Vehicle Systems.
Read MoreMarch 13, 2025 | Mohamed A. A. Abdeldayem | Simulation-Driven Optimization for Digital Twins of Earth-Moving Machinery
SOIL MACHINE DYNAMIC LABORATORY, IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
This talk focuses on the virtual performance analysis of bulldozer blades and subsoilers to optimize design, train AI, and advance automation for earth-moving vehicles. It integrates high-fidelity elasto-plastic cohesive DEM soil models, similitude scaling, and validation experiments to predict energy and dynamic soil interactions. This approach supports digital twin development, enhances electric-powered off-road vehicle design, and accelerates AI-driven automation in earth-moving operations.
Read MoreIn Memoriam Dr Zoltán Jánosi
We regret to share the news of the passing of Dr. Zoltán Jánosi late last year. Dr. Jánosi remained remarkably vibrant—both in body and mind—until his passing at the age of 96 on November 21, 2024. His death is a profound loss to the terrain and soil mechanics research community. His legacy and memory will continue to be cherished by all who knew him and worked with him.
Read MoreWelcome from the new ISTVS President
Following the Society’s rotating presidency scheme, at the Yokohama conference I assumed the President’s role which I hope to hold for the next three years. In the closing session in Yokohama I gave a rundown of my thoughts on my upcoming term. I see the next few years as being very promising for our Society. Given my space robotics background, please allow me to be a bit subjective—I would like us to benefit from the surge of activities in lunar exploration we are witnessing from governmental and commercial actors.
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A celebration of ISTVS 2024 in Yokohama
Thank you to all who joined us for ISTVS 2024, 21st International and 12th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference. 110 participants from all over the world came together in Yokohama, Japan, for this year’s ISTVS conference—it was a great pleasure to meet you all.
Read MoreProf. Heinz Dieter Kutzbach passes away
Read MoreWe regret to inform you that on Thursday, 07.11.2024 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Heinz Dieter Kutzbach passed away at the age of 84. Prof. Kutzbach was since a long-time member of the ISTVS. He was involved with tractor tire-soil interaction right into his retirement years. Like all former members of his research team, I was very strongly influenced by him during my time at the department. He led us with both great professional competence and personal warmth and gave us the freedom to shape our own research projects. […]
FISITA 2025 World Mobility Conference - Call for Papers
ISTVS is pleased to share an announcement of a Call for Papers from our colleagues at FISITA for their 2025 World Mobility Conference in Barcelona. We have links to the event website and the full CFP PDF — and include highlights from the CFP. Event website | Full CFP PDF
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