BlueROV2

Lore & Background

The BlueROV2 is built around a modular frame that supports integration of cameras, sonar, robotic grippers, and additional scientific instruments. It is configured with six thrusters to enable maneuvering in all directions, and is controlled via a tether connected to a surface computer or tablet running open-source control software. The onboard electronics are based on a Raspberry Pi, which serves as the main controller and is typically connected to a front-facing camera, with support for additional sensors such as an inertial measurement unit (IMU).

The platform has been used in academic research from 2020 to 2025 to develop low-cost autonomous underwater systems, including open-source hardware and software extensions for vision-based SLAM, dynamic simulation models, and experimental benchmarking of machine-learning methods for vision-based position locking in real-world underwater environments. It has also been adopted in marine science and underwater archaeology for underwater observation, documentation, and environmental data collection.

In industrial settings, the BlueROV2 has been used in aquaculture and offshore infrastructure inspection, including the monitoring of shellfish beds, fish stocks, anchors, and subsea installations. It has also been employed in the development and testing of autonomous navigation and sensor-fusion systems for small underwater vehicles.

Reader's Guide

The BlueROV2's significance lies in its role as an open-source platform that has helped lower the barrier to entry for underwater robotics. By providing a modular, low-cost ROV with open-source control software, it enabled academic researchers, small organizations, and hobbyists to conduct underwater research and inspection that was previously accessible only to well-funded institutions. Its use in academic research from 2020 to 2025 for developing autonomous systems, vision-based SLAM, and machine-learning methods demonstrates its value as a testbed for advancing underwater technology. In marine science and underwater archaeology, it facilitated observation and documentation tasks. Industrial applications in aquaculture and offshore infrastructure inspection further illustrate its versatility. The BlueROV2 has been described, alongside OpenROV, as part of a broader shift toward more affordable underwater vehicles, making it a notable contributor to the democratization of marine robotics.

Did You Know?

• Its onboard electronics are based on a Raspberry Pi, typically connected to a front-facing camera and an inertial measurement unit.
• The vehicle has been used in aquaculture to monitor shellfish beds, fish stocks, and subsea installations.
• It has been employed in academic research for vision-based SLAM and machine-learning methods for position locking.