OpenROV (v2.x kit)

Was $899 (v2.8 kit, 2015)

Discontinued · unavailableVia SSH / web / bridgeOpen-source hardwareKickstarterBeagleBone BlackDIY kit

UnavailableShipping: Unavailable.

Remote control: Browser-based Cockpit served from the ROV's BeagleBone over the tether. Open code allows custom plugins.

LEARN MORE (v2.8 kit, archive) ↗

Overview

The open-source DIY submarine that kick-started low-cost ROVs. It was started by Eric Stackpole and David Lang, launched on Kickstarter in 2012 and built by a community of citizen explorers in over 30 countries. Kits taught soldering and potting as part of the build, and a web 'Cockpit' ran on the onboard BeagleBone Black. OpenROV later launched the ready-made Trident and merged with Spoondrift in 2019 to form Sofar Ocean. The kits are no longer sold.

Type: Swimming robot · Developer & research ROVs/AUVs
Maker: OpenROV (USA)
Released: 2012
Price: Was $899 (v2.8 kit, 2015)
Status: Discontinued · unavailable
Best for: Ages 16+
Programming: Open source (hardware + software)

Price and shipping

In the OpenROV store, the v2.8 kit listed at $899 (sometimes discounted to $799) and the 2.8 Adventure Set at $1,435. Earlier v2.6/2.7 kits also sold assembled

Shipping: Unavailable. Kits were discontinued after OpenROV became Sofar Ocean in 2019. The design files remain open for self-builds.

Specifications

Category	Swimming robots · Developer & research ROVs/AUVs
Released	2012
Country	USA
Availability	Discontinued · unavailable
Sales	118 units sold via Kickstarter (2012, estimate) Wikipedia ↗
Programmability	Open source (hardware + software)
Built-in autonomy	None / scripted · Moves only when controlled, or plays preset motions
LLM support	Possible via SDK · No built-in LLM. Its SDK lets software on a computer control it.
MuJoCo simulation	None found · Nothing found.
NVIDIA Isaac simulation	None found · Nothing found.
Gazebo simulation	None found · Nothing found.
Best for	Ages 16+ (estimated)
Vision sensors	Camera
Actuators	Brushless / direct-drive motors
Audio	No audio
Compute type	Other ARM chip, Arduino / ESP32 / microcontroller
Remote control	Via SSH / web / bridge
Size	30 × 20 × 15 cm (L × W × H), 2.6 kg
Propulsion	Three brushless thrusters (2 horizontal, 1 vertical)
Depth rating	100 m recommended max (v2.8)
Tether / comms	Twisted-pair tether to a topside interface, laptop control (100 m tether sold separately)
Camera	HD webcam with tilt servo and LEDs, streamed live to the laptop
Sensors	Optional IMU / depth module
Runtime	2–3 h with standard batteries (3–5 h with high-capacity cells)
Speed	Up to 2 knots (about 1 m/s)
Compute	BeagleBone Black (Linux) + controller board
SDK	Open-source Node.js 'Cockpit' software and hardware files on GitHub

Common questions

How much does OpenROV cost?

It sold for $899 (v2.8 kit, 2015). In the OpenROV store, the v2.8 kit listed at $899 (sometimes discounted to $799) and the 2.8 Adventure Set at $1,435. Earlier v2.6/2.7 kits also sold assembled.

Can OpenROV be bought today?

No. It is discontinued and no longer sold. Kits were discontinued after OpenROV became Sofar Ocean in 2019. The design files remain open for self-builds.