Frame, hull, thrusters, waterproofing, buoyancy, and serviceable assembly.
Autonomous underwater vehicle project
Designing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for RoboSub
We are building an autonomous underwater robot through mechanical design, electronics integration, software development, and pool-based validation.
Mission
A complete student engineering build
We develop an autonomous underwater vehicle for competition-inspired navigation and perception challenges. Our build brings together mechanical design, navigation hardware, embedded controls, software autonomy, project operations, and repeated water testing.
Power distribution, ESCs, sensors, wiring, and onboard compute integration.
Control logic, perception testing, mission behavior, and pool validation workflows.
Build roadmap
From first water tests to the current robot
We have advanced through proof-of-concept water testing, electronics integration, frame fabrication, CAD refinement, and poolside validation.
Phase 0: First Water Tests
We used the first platform to establish baseline buoyancy, stability, and in-water motion.
Prototype Body and Camera Setup
We built an early body so we could test camera placement, mounts, and basic vehicle packaging.
Electronics and ESC Integration
We brought the power path, ESCs, thrusters, and control hardware together on the bench.
Frame Fabrication
We moved the frame from layout studies into fabricated parts and assembly checks.
Hull and Thruster Assembly
We assembled the vehicle with a hull, camera housing, thrusters, and serviceable frame structure.
CAD Model Finalization
We use the CAD model to document the current layout and guide our next mechanical changes.
Pool Testing and Current Build
We test the current robot poolside to evaluate assembly, control response, and readiness for the next build cycle.
CAD and systems design
Designed digitally, checked in the lab
Our CAD work defines frame geometry, thruster placement, enclosure layout, and maintenance access before we fabricate parts or revise the vehicle.
Support the build
Sponsor student robotics development
Sponsor support helps us fund materials, electronics, fabrication, pool testing, and competition preparation for a hands-on autonomous systems project.
