Blue Robotics ROV
The world’s most affordable
High-performance ROV
The BlueROV2 is the world’s most affordable high-performance underwater ROV.
With six- and eight-thruster configurations, a number of available accessories, and open source software, it has an unprecedented level of performance, flexibility, and expandability. With several thousand units out in the field, the BlueROV2 is one of the most popular underwater drones on the market!
The BlueROV2 comes partially assembled and requires 6-8 hours of user assembly to complete. During the assembly process, you learn how all of the components of the system work and fit together and it leaves you with the knowledge needed to make upgrades and improvements in the future!
POINT 1
Live HD Camera
and Lighting
At the front of the ROV is a high definition (1080p, 30fps) wide-angle low-light camera optimized for use on the ROV. It’s mounted to a tilt mechanism so that the pilot can control the camera tilt to look up or down, even when the ROV is level. The ROV can be configured with two or four dimmable Lumen Lights, providing up to 6,000 lumens to illuminate the ocean depths..
POINT 2
Vectored Thruster Configuration and the Heavy Configuration
The ROV uses the patented T200 Thrusters in a vectored configuration, providing a high thrust-to-weight ratio and the ability to move precisely in any direction. The ROV comes with six thrusters but is expandable to eight thrusters with the Heavy Configuration Retrofit Kit, providing full six-degree-of-freedom control and feedback stability.
Adjustable gain levels allow the pilot to have precision control at extremely low speeds as well as high power to overcome currents and carry heavy loads.
Heavy Configuration Retrofit Kit
POINT 3
Depth Rating
The BlueROV2 is rated to a depth of 100 meters (330 ft). That rating is limited by a number of factors, including the crush depth of the 4” acrylic watertight enclosure tube, with some safety factor.
POINT 4
Modular Frame Design and Expandability
Designed like a work class or research class ROV, the BlueROV2 has an open frame that carries the electronics and battery enclosures, thrusters, buoyancy foam, and ballast weights. This simple design is robust and expandable, making it easy to attach accessories such as an ROV gripper or scanning sonar. We have a payload skid available that extends the frame further and allows you to attach much larger payloads. We’ve seen people use this for scientific instruments, pressure washer attachments, additional battery enclosures, and more.
The BlueROV2 is designed to be expanded and modified and many of our users have made more dramatic modifications to suit their particular applications. Replacing the standard frame with a custom frame, you can create just about any underwater robot you can imagine!
POINT 5
Open Source
Control Software and
User Interface Software
The BlueROV2 is controlled by a drone flight controller running the open-source ArduSub subsea vehicle control firmware. As part of the ArduPilot project, it brings to the ROV a vast number of features, capabilities, and an extensive user community.
At the surface, the pilot controls the ROV through a laptop computer and gamepad controller. The open-source QGroundControl application acts as the user interface, providing the live video stream, sensor feedback and information, and the ability to change settings and configuration.
CHECK POINT
Getting Started with the BlueROV2
The BlueROV2 is designed for both entry-level and advanced ROV users.
It comes with everything you need to get in the water except for a few components.
We recommend a medium to high-end model with Windows 10, Mac, or Linux operating systems. There are also some compatible tablets including the Windows Surface tablets. iOS and Android are not officially supported at this time.
We recommend the Xbox One controller or the Logitech F310 or F710 controllers.
We recommend our 14.8v, 15.6Ah lithium-ion battery for the best battery life, but we can’t ship it to all locations! There are a number of other compatible batteries that can be used as well. We’d recommend getting a few for extended operation.
We have a recommended charger as well, but any lithium-ion battery charger that can handle your battery will work!
BlueROV2 Kit
Frame
Electronics Enclosure
Battery Enclosure
Thrusters
Fairings
Tether
Tools
Lights
SOS Leak Sensor
Fathom-X Tether Interface
Desiccant
Spares
Physical | ||
Length | 457 mm | 18 in |
Width | 338 mm | 13.3 in |
Height | 254 mm | 10 in |
Weight in Air (with default Ballast and Blue Robotics Lithium-ion Battery) | 11-12 kg | 24-27 lb |
Weight in Air (without Ballast or battery) | 9-10 kg | 20-22 lb |
Payload Capacity (configuration dependent) | 1.2 kg (4x Lumens) to 1.4 kg (No Lumens) | 2.6 to 3.1 lbs |
Cable Penetrator Holes | 18 x 10 mm | 18 x 0.4 in |
Construction | HDPE frame, aluminum flanges/end cap, and acrylic tubes | |
Main Tube (Electronics Enclosure) | Blue Robotics 4 inch series w/ aluminum end caps | |
Battery Tube | Blue Robotics 3 inch series w/ aluminum end caps | |
Buoyancy Foam | R-3318 Urethane Foam rated to 244 meters | |
Ballast Weight | 9 x 200 g stainless steel weights | |
Battery Connector | XT90 | |
Performance | ||
Maximum Rated Depth | 100 m | 330 ft |
Maximum Tested Depth (so far) | 130 m | 425 ft |
Temperature Range | 0-30°C | 32-86°F |
Maximum Forward Speed | 1.5 m/s | 3 knots |
Thrusters | Blue Robotics T200 | |
ESC | Blue Robotics Basic 30A ESC | |
Thruster Configuration | 6 thrusters | |
(4 Vectored) | ||
(2 Vertical) | ||
Forward Bollard Thrust (45°) | 9 kgf | 19.8 lbf |
Vertical Bollard Thrust | 7 kgf | 15.4 lbf |
Lateral Bollard Thrust (45°) | 9 kgf | 19.8 lbf |
Battery | ||
Battery Life (Normal Use) | ~2 hours w/ Blue Robotics Lithium-ion Battery | |
Battery Life (Light Use) | ~4 hours w/ Blue Robotics Lithium-ion Battery | |
The batteries can be changed in about 30 seconds. | ||
Lights | ||
Brightness | 1500 lumens each with dimming control | |
Light Beam Angle | 135 degrees, with adjustable tilt | |
Tether | ||
Diameter | 7.6 mm | 0.30 in |
Length | 25-300 m | 80-980 ft |
Working Strength | 45 kgf | 100 lbf |
Breaking Strength | 160 kgf | 350 lbf |
Strength Member | Kevlar with waterblock | |
Buoyancy in Freshwater | Neutral | |
Buoyancy in Saltwater | Slightly Positive | |
Conductors | 4 twisted pairs, 26 AWG | |
Sensors | ||
Gyroscope | 3-DOF Gyroscope (on the PixHawk) | |
Accelerometer | 3-DOF Accelerometer (on the PixHawk) | |
Compass | 3-DOF Magnetometer (on the PixHawk) | |
Internal pressure | Internal barometer (on the PixHawk) | |
Pressure/Depth and Temperature Sensor (external) | Blue Robotics Bar30 | |
Current and Voltage Sensing | Blue Robotics Power Sense Module | |
Leak Sensor | Blue Robotics SOS Leak Sensor | |
Camera Tilt | ||
Tilt Range | +/- 90 degree camera tilt (180 total range) | |
Tilt Servo | Hitec HS-5055MG | |
Camera | ||
Field of View (Underwater) | 110 degrees (horizontal) | |
Light Sensitivity | 0.01 lux | |
Resolution | 1080p | |
Control System | ||
Tether Interface Board | Fathom-X Tether Interface Board | |
Control Board | Pixhawk 1 | |
Control Software | ArduSub |
Operating System | |
Windows | Windows 10 64bit or later |
macOS | 10.20 or later |
Ubuntu | Latest LTS (20.04) or later |
Minimum Recommended Hardware | |
Processor | i5 processor or better |
RAM | 8GB |
Storage | Solid-state drive (SSD) |