ROV Project

Creating, learning, and building together

This is a working page that will be updated with videos, links and PDFs to help us create and build an aquatic Remote Operated Vehicle. The point of this project is to design, collaborate, and enjoy the creative process of building an exploratory vehicle.

If you would like to get emails/updates on the project, please email be with the words "ROV please email" in the subject heading. I will periodically email the group about our project.

Dr. Pool at poolt@seattleu.edu

Chapter 1 - Angelfish ROV

To begin this project together, we will build a kit ROV by SeaMATE. The scope of the project and the direction we take as a group will evolve as our skills progress. Quarterly goals will be established by the students and any SU student is welcome to join our project sessions at any time. No background in robotics is necisary because we will work through design and build challenges together!

Building an ROV Basics

Skill Session: Tools we need for the Angelfish

Part 1: Frame Design

Explore frame stability and construction

Frame Design and Stability

Part 2: Electronics

Review some basic circuitry we need to know for wiring our ROV

Part I - Building a circuit

Skill Session: Multimeters

Circuit Presentation

Electrical Components & Symbols

Simple Circuits Helpful Hints

Simple Circuit Worksheet

Part II - Wiring Motors

DPDT Switch Video

Wiring a Motor Video

Switches and Motors Video

Part 3: Systems - Power

Skills Session: Solder and Seal Connectors

Power System: Creating your power wires

Part 4: Systems - Control & Tether

ROV Control System

Control System: Tether to Control Box

Tether Management Cross

Part 5: Systems - Propulsion

Propellers to the Motors

Motors to the Tether

ROV 101: Thruster Design

Part 6: Buoyancy, Ballast, & Hydraulic Manipulators

General Buoyancy Concepts

Buoyancy: Stability Design

Buoyancy Exercise Worksheet Key

Simple Buoyancy Exercise Worksheet Key

Non-moving Manipulators

Simple Hydraulics

Basic Electrical Troubleshooting and Safety

Angelfish SID and tips

How to test for a broken circuit

General ROV Safety

Final Safety Check

Chapter 2 -

TriggerFish (TF) ROV

The TriggerFish is an ROV kit that moves from a switchbox controller to analog joystick control of four motors. We will be building this machine together after we get our feet wet with the the Angelfish!

Optional Basics for Advanced Building

CAD for ROV Building