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Open-Source Mini Sub Can Be Made On the Cheap
An anonymous reader writes "Eric Stackpole is a NASA engineer and avid outdoorsman. He is the chief designer of a cheap, portable underwater ROV that could change the way we explore our oceans. And he wants to make it so cheap and easy to build that anyone can do it. The device in question is the OpenROV, a small, lasercut contraption powered by several C-cells, a small, cheap computer and a webcam. Right now the price per vehicle is around $500-$600, As with all open source hardware projects, further development will likely drastically reduce the price. Or you can buy a kit for $750 and support the project, once the Kickstarter gets going."
That could be useful in many freshwater locales as well. Providing it doesn't generate too much turbulence and disturb the inevitable silt at the bottom of many lakes, ponds, etc.
Its nice to see good technology properly applied and then tied together with the right software. Off the shelf parts, even a micro Linux computer to run the on board electronics, and inexpensive parts round it out. Its a case of "Hey if I used this technology, I could advance a science" instead of "Hey, look, my wrist watch is a web server!"
Nicely done!
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I wonder how much increased depth the chassis could sustain from purging all air and filling it with mineral oil. The hydrostatic properties should make it structurally stronger, but could be an issue for the webcam optics. Alternately everything could be water proof coated and skip the sealed cylinder altogether. I'm pretty sure several layers of enamel or rubberized undercoating would sufficiently work for the home builder on the circuit boards and wire contacts. Old school would just be resin back fill everywhere, and that has worked for years.
Any sort of flooded arrangement would need pretty careful camera selection as one would be best served by a fully sealed unit that could handle the pressure at depth. Too many cheap webcams have nearly exposed CCD arrays or are vented cases for mics. Cameras sourced from cell phones are probably the most solid bet.
I would ditch the C-cells entirely and use relatively cheap LiPo batteries made for remote control aircraft for increased time and power. If he is using Cat 5/6, he should be able to dump power in though there reasonably easily as well.
Also, the new camera add-on for the Raspberry-Pi sounds like a potentially more compelling combination. I'm curious what manner of motor control he is using. Arduino would work fine with a Raspberry-Pi and is vastly cheaper than RC servo and motor controls, though at that point it might be just as easy to go completely Arduino and skip the PC brains. I do have to say the price point sounds a bit high, but I am guessing most of that is the custom plastic and steel molding and mill work. Fiberglass or even carbon fiber should be cheaper because you just need molds and cutting patterns or dies. Building everything for sub 200-psi pressure should be pretty easy.