Draft:BlueROV2
Remotely operated underwater vehicle
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BlueROV2 is a modular remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) developed by the American marine robotics company Blue Robotics. It was released in 2016 as a low-cost platform with open-source control software for underwater research, inspection, and educational applications.[4][2]
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Comment: Sources establishing notability per WP:ORG: Popular Mechanics (2016), Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (2022), Embedded Robotics (a book by T.Bräunl, 2022) + partially IEEE/OES Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Symposium (2020) and Digital Trends (2016). Please see the table below for more info. Alexandra Goncharik -sms- 19:38, 18 February 2026 (UTC)
| Source | Independent? | Reliable? | Significant coverage? | Count source toward GNG? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 written by independent technology journalist David Hambling |
established tech magazine with editorial oversight, see Popular Mechanics |
BlueROV2 is presented as a central example of a new generation of low-cost, open-source ROVs expanding access to underwater robotics beyond traditional industrial users |
✔ Yes
| |
| peer-reviewed academic publication by independent university researchers |
see List of MDPI academic journals |
BlueROV2 is the primary subject of the paper, which develops and experimentally validates a full dynamic and control simulation model specifically for this vehicle |
✔ Yes | |
| independent author and publisher |
academic textbook published by Springer Nature; written by Thomas Bräunl, a Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering |
a chapter section devoted to BlueROV2 as a ROV research platform, with dedicated discussion of its architecture and role in robotics experimentation |
✔ Yes | |
| peer-reviewed IEEE conference paper authored by independent researchers |
published in IEEE conference proceedings (see Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) |
~ contributes independent academic discussion of BlueROV2 as a research platform, but does not make it a primary subject | ~ Partial | |
| written by staff writer Trevor Mogg |
see WP:DIGITALTRENDS |
~ BlueROV2-focused description and market positioning, but lacks independent analysis or critical evaluation | ~ Partial | |
| This table may not be a final or consensus view; it may summarize developing consensus, or reflect assessments of a single editor. Created using {{source assess table}}. | ||||
 BlueROV2 operating with ArduSub control software | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | BlueROV2 |
| Builders | Blue Robotics |
| Built | 2016 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) |
| Displacement | 12 kg[1] |
| Length | 45 cm[1] |
| Depth | Up to 100 m (standard) [2]; up to 300 m (extended) [3] |
| Installed power | Lithium-ion battery |
| Propulsion | Six or eight thrusters (vectored configuration) |
| Notes | Tethered control via surface computer/tablet |
BlueROV2 has been used as an open-source platform in academic marine robotics research and has been described, alongside OpenROV, as part of a shift toward lower-cost underwater vehicles for researchers, small organizations, and hobbyists.[4][5]
Design and architecture
BlueROV2 is built around a modular frame that supports integration of cameras, sonar, robotic grippers, and additional scientific instruments.[4]
The vehicle is configured with six thrusters to enable maneuvering in all directions.[5] It is controlled via a tether connected to a surface computer or tablet running open-source control software.[2]
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).[5][3]
Applications
Academic research
In 2020–2025, the platform has been used in academic research 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.[6][7][8]
The BlueROV2 has also been adopted in marine science and underwater archaeology, where it is used for underwater observation, documentation, and environmental data collection.[4][9]
Industrial use
BlueROV2 has been used in aquaculture and offshore infrastructure inspection, including the monitoring of shellfish beds, fish stocks, anchors, and subsea installations.[4] It has also been employed in the development and testing of autonomous navigation and sensor-fusion systems for small underwater vehicles.[1]