Powered by the Navigator and BlueOS
The BlueROV2 is controlled by the Navigator Flight Controller and BlueOS. The Navigator is designed and built for ROVs and other robotics applications. It has onboard sensors, including an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to measure orientation, a magnetometer to measure compass heading, and a leak sensor to alert you of any water ingress. It has 16 outputs that can be connected to thrusters, lights, grippers, and other accessories as well as plenty of serial and I2C ports to communicate with sensors and sonars. It has plenty of room for expandability!
The Navigator is coupled with a Raspberry Pi 4 computer, which handles all of the processing and computing requirements within the ROV. It runs our open-source BlueOS software that provides the tools and features necessary to operate and expand the vehicle. BlueOS runs the ArduSub vehicle control software, manages the camera and tether connection, and makes it easy to install extensions to add new features. BlueOS is always improving, and new capabilities will continue to roll out to all BlueROV2s.
At the surface, the pilot controls the ROV with a gamepad controller and a laptop running Cockpit, our open-source ground control station. Cockpit is a highly customizable user interface for vehicle control, live video, and sensor data.
Configuring Your Kit
The BlueROV2 is built for just about everyone, from first-time operators to seasoned pros. You can configure your kit with the tools and features that fit your mission best. Here’s a breakdown of each option:
- Tube Configuration – Choose either Aluminum for 300 m depth rating or Acrylic for 100 m depth rating.
- Heavy Configuration Upgrade – Adds two thrusters and more buoyancy for additional stability and payload-carrying capacity.
- Tether – Comes in standard and slim versions, with lengths from 25 to 300 meters. The length you choose depends on how deep and how far you want to go. For lengths over 50 meters, we’d recommend the Fathom Spool to make it easier to manage.
- Lights – Available in 2-light or 4-light configurations. If you plan to do a lot of work in poor lighting conditions or at night, we recommend the 4-light configuration.
- Tether Spool – Makes it easier to transport and use the tether cable. The standard spool size fits up to 150 m of standard tether or 200 m of slim tether. Get the large size for longer tethers.
- Sonars – Can assist with navigation and locating underwater objects. To learn more, check out our Smooth Operator’s Guide to Underwater Sonars and Acoustic Devices.
- Gamepad Controller – We really like the Xbox Wireless Controller, but many other controllers will also work.
- Check out The BlueROV2 Accessories and Add-ons for more!
Before You Dive
And while the BlueROV2 kit gives you the vehicle, there are a few essentials you will need to supply on your own. Things like a laptop, battery, and charger are not included in the kit, but are required to operate your ROV. Here are our recommendations to help you choose the right setup:
- Laptop – We recommend a medium to high-end model with Windows 11, Mac, or Linux operating systems. Check out the system requirements in the Technical Details section below. iOS and Android are not officially supported at this time.
- Battery – We recommend our 14.8v, 18Ah 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.
- Battery Charger – We have a recommended charger as well, but any lithium-ion battery charger that can handle your battery will work!
But wait, there's more!
If you’re looking to dive even deeper and explore what else is possible with the BlueROV2, we recommend the following resources:
- BlueOS – Explore the documentation and developer guide for BlueOS, the software that controls the ROV.
- ArduSub – Learn about the vehicle control firmware in the ArduPilot docs.
- Forums – Our forums have discussions from many users who have made significant modifications and can provide guidance and ideas.
- Distributors – Many of our Distributors specialize in BlueROV2 customizations and modifications!
- Guides – Check out all of our BlueROV2-related guides.
