Hardware Overview

OpenROV is still under development so some data may change

OpenROV was designed to be low cost, easy to build, and capable of doing legitimate exploration missions. The design incorporates aspects from both ROV-1 and OpenROV Beta, while keeping a minimalistic theme.

Some of the key features of OpenROV are:
 * A single container electrical system (which allows for easy integration of parts and minimal external wiring)
 * A payload area (which allows science and exploration modules to be easily added to an already functioning ROV)
 * Easily removable electronics tube (for quick fixes, and easy debugging)
 * On-board batteries (to counter balance mass of thrusters, provide ballast, and provide power to the ROV)
 * Removable inner structure (makes bench-top testing more easy)
 * All metric dimensions (I mean come on- let's speak the language of science!)
 * Small size (about the size of a breadbox)
 * Structure is almost entirely made from laser-cut acrylic (do one thing and do it well)
 * Inherently very close to neutrally buoyant (just add a few small weights)
 * Serialized (uniqueness is something they all have in common)

Specifications

 * Version: 2.3
 * Dimensions: 30cm x 20cm x 15cm
 * Weight: 2.5kg
 * Depth rating: ~100m
 * Speed: 1m/sec
 * Power: 8 onboard C batteries
 * Run time: ~1.5 hours

Design

 * Version: 2.3
 * Body construction: Laser cut acrylic
 * Buoyancy: Inherently neutrally buoyant
 * Propulsion: 3 brushless motors (2 horizontal thrusters, 1 vertical thruster)
 * Tether: 1 single twisted pair communicating 10 megabit ethernet data for control and video
 * Control: Onboard embedded linux computer (beagleboard brand) controlled via remote web browser
 * Vision: Forward facing HD USB webcam and two 87lm LED light arrays on servo-tiltable platform
 * Design considerations: Completely open source / open hardware, off the shelf parts, small enough to test in a bathtub, kit can be assembled in one weekend, standardized payload bay.